An awards ceremony is the act of presenting awards. This could be hosted by a company that specializes in award ceremonies or by a company, group, school, or organization. The role of the master of ceremonies includes introducing the awardees, speaking to the audience, providing entertainment, and managing the flow of the ceremony. Wealthy citizens financed the yearly tragedies and comedies competitions in ancient Greece. For the best plays, productions, and performances, prizes were given out. The inaugural Olympic Games featured two award presentations. The competition winners received palm branches from the judges. On the final day of the competition, olive garlands were given to the event champions for them to wear when they were crowned. Because the runners-up were viewed as unimportant, no medals were given to them, and the winner was simply announced. Many athletes, usually at great personal expense, have hired judges to crown them champions. The major American media awards, which had humble beginnings, have grown into enormous prime-time broadcast spectacles. In 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its first awards ceremony at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The Oscars for best film, best actress, and best actor were presented in a 15-minute ceremony. The Golden Globe Awards were established in 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association, a group of eight journalists. They wanted to honor the best film, actress, and director.
