The spirit of John Lennon was alive and well at the Academy Awards as "War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko" won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. The film, a tribute to Lennon's legacy, was accepted by his son Sean, who took the stage with filmmakers Dave Mullins and Brad Booker. Sean dedicated the win to his mother, Yoko Ono, on UK Mother’s Day, prompting a heartfelt "Happy Mother’s Day, Yoko!" from the audience.
The film reimagines the historic Christmas truce of World War I, replacing the soccer match with a game of chess, symbolizing the possibility of peace even amidst conflict. The narrative is beautifully concluded with Lennon's iconic song "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" resonating over the final scenes.
Elton John, a close friend of Lennon's, also had a victorious night, not for an Oscar win but for the remarkable success of his annual Academy Awards Viewing Party. The event raised $10.8 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Elton's performance with the band Gabriels and the auction of a crystal-covered Yamaha piano signed by him, which alone fetched over $360,000, were among the highlights of the evening.
Two Elton-themed pinball machines also sold for $200,000 each, and other personal items including Elton’s engraved Rolex watch and Gucci bomber jackets were big sellers. Elton's expressed his gratitude and determination to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year marked the 32nd year of Elton John's viewing party, a tradition that began in 1993 and has since become a staple of Oscar night, blending celebration with philanthropy and remembrance with hope.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]