The 12th Academy Awards were held on February 29, 1940 at the Coconut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel, honoring movies released in 1939. The ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in directing, acting, cinematography, production design, and music. Notable honors included Victor Fleming’s win for directing Gone with the Wind, Vivien Leigh’s performance in the same film, and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to David O. Selznick.

See details