Furthermore , the American-led invasion of Iraq affected the telecast and its surrounding events . Hours after news that the war had commenced several actors such as Cate Blanchett , Jim Carrey , and Will Smith resigned from their roles as presenters citing safety concerns and respect for military families . Despite pleas from broadcaster ABC to postpone the proceedings up to a week , AMPAS president Pierson and ceremony producer Cates refused to delay the gala to a different date citing unavailability of the Kodak Theatre during that time . Pierson also stated that moving the festivities to a different venue would be too expensive for the Academy . However , they also announced that the red carpet festivities would be severely curtailed . The bleacher seats situated along Hollywood Boulevard would also be dismantled , and ticket holders for those seats would receive rain checks that were good toward next year 's event . Periodically during commercial breaks , ABC News anchor and journalist Peter Jennings gave news brief updates regarding the events happening overseas . Hayao Miyazaki , who won Best Animated Feature for '' Spirited Away '' , boycotted in protest against the Iraq War , stating that he " did n't want to visit a country that was bombing Iraq "
next year 's event
76th Academy Awards
75th Academy Awards