Raj Kapoor, who has served as a producer and executive producer of numerous Grammy Awards telecasts, has been named executive producer and showrunner of the 96th Oscars, which are set to air live on ABC on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Katy Mullan has been tapped as executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton as director.
This will be Kapoor and Mullan’s first time executive producing and Hamilton’s fourth time directing the Oscars. Kapoor has worked on the show for the past seven years and most recently served as producer for the 95th Oscars.
Kapoor has received six Primetime Emmy nominations – four of them for outstanding variety special (live) for The Grammys in 2019, 2021 and 2022 and Oscars in 2023. His other two Emmy nods are for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). He won in 2022 for Adele: One Night Only and is a current nominee for Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter. (The long-delayed 2023 awards will be presented on Jan. 15, 2024.)
“As a Canadian boy of South Asian descent and a girl from London who grew up watching the Oscars, dreaming of being part of it, this is a ‘pinch me’ moment!” Kapoor and Mullan said in a joint statement. “This has been an exceptional year for the movies, and it’s an absolute privilege to be leading the team celebrating the global film industry and the astounding talents that bring these cinematic stories to life. We’re dedicated to making it a remarkable celebration for all.”
“Raj and Hamish have been incredible Oscars collaborators, and we are delighted to welcome them and Katy to lead the 96th Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. “Their deep love of cinema, fresh vision, and tremendous live television expertise is perfect for our reinvigorated show.”
Several people from the creative team behind the 95th Oscars are returning to work on the 96th Oscars, including creative director Kenny Gravillis, production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, red carpet show executive producer David Chamberlin, and red carpet creative consultants Lisa Love and Raúl Àvila.
In addition to his Emmy-nominated work, Kapoor’s credits include the ACM Awards, the Latin Grammys, The Emmy Awards, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration and The Disney Family Singalong.
Mullan is an executive producer, showrunner and partner in the global live event production company Done + Dusted. Her work in live entertainment ranges from producing the London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies to The Little Mermaid Live! Her recent credits include Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, Step Into…The Movies and the Disney Family Singalong franchise.
Hamilton made his Oscars debut directing the 82nd Academy Awards telecast in 2010 and subsequently directed the 86th and 87th Oscars. He has received 11 Primetime Emmy nominations, for directing four Super Bowl half-time shows, two Oscar telecasts, two Grammy telecasts, Lizzo: Live in Concert and the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics.
Hamilton, who has directed 14 Super Bowl halftime shows, was Emmy-nominated for the ones starring Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez & Shakira and Rihanna as well as the all-star hip-hop celebration starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent. He received two Emmy nods for the one starring Rihanna, one as a producer and one as a director. That and Lizzo: Live in Concert are pending, so Hamilton has three chances to win his first Primetime Emmy in January.
Hamilton, a partner in the global live event production company Done + Dusted, has received a Peabody Award and a BAFTA Award. He was also a 2002 Grammy nominee for Robbie Williams – Live at the Albert, a contender for best long-form music video.
The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
The Grammys have not yet announced their production team. The 66th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on Feb. 4, 2024.
