Raj Kapoor & Katy Mullan Named Executive Producers For 96th Oscar Show; Hamish Hamilton Set As Director

The Oscars have their team in place and it is a mix of past and present in terms of production teams, but AMPAS is clearly sticking with putting experienced live television professionals in charge.

Raj Kapoor, who has worked on the Oscars for the past seven years including last year as a producer will serve for the first time as Executive Producer and Showrunner. He will be joined by Done + Dusted veteran executive Katy Mullan as Executive Producer, the latter a first-timer to the Academy Awards.

Hamish Hamilton joins the team as director, his fourth time helming the show which will be held on Sunday, March 10, and broadcast live on ABC.

Joining Kapoor, Mullan and Hamilton to help shape the vision and direction of the 96th Oscars, are 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 Raul Avila.

Last year’s executive producers Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirschner are not returning this year but will produce the upcoming Golden Globes in January.

“Raj and Hamish have been incredible Oscars collaborators, and we are delighted to welcome them and Katy to lead the 96th Oscars,” said AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer and AMPAS President Janet Yang. “Their deep love of cinema, fresh vision, and tremendous live television expertise is perfect for our reinvigorated show. We’re excited to work with them and our remarkable creative team – Kenny Gravillis, Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, David Chamberlin, Lisa Love and Raúl Àvila – to deliver an exceptional show for audiences worldwide.”

Kapoor is a six-time Emmy nominee and won for executive producing Adele: One Night Only. Along with several Oscar shows, he has worked on The Grammys, Emmys, Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter and more.

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! and several Christmas and New Year’s Eve TV specials.

An 11-time Emmy nominee, Hamilton made his Oscars debut directing the 2010 telecast and subsequently directed the 2014 and 2015 shows. He has directed many other celebrated live televised events, including the Emmys and Grammys, 14 Super Bowl halftime shows including this year and the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

“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!” said Kapoor and Mullan. “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.”

“Having worked with Raj, Katy and Hamish on many special and memorable projects over the years, we have full confidence in their vision for the 96th Oscars,” said Rob Mills, EVP Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment at Walt Disney Television. “Their creativity, infectious energy and sincere love for the movies will be the ticket to making this year’s ceremony a night to remember.”