The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, is one of the most watched entertainment events in the world. The ceremony typically brings together major actors, filmmakers, and industry professionals to celebrate achievements in cinema. However, not everyone seated inside the venue during the broadcast is a celebrity. Some attendees are present for a very specific role known as “seat filling.”
Seat fillers are individuals hired to temporarily occupy empty seats in the audience during the live broadcast of the ceremony. Their role helps maintain the visual appearance of a full theatre on television. During long award shows, celebrities frequently leave their seats for various reasons, such as presenting awards backstage, meeting other guests, or taking short breaks. When that happens, seat fillers quickly move in to occupy those seats until the original guests return.
The ceremony is typically held at the Dolby Theatre, a venue known for hosting the Academy Awards every year. Because the event is broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide, producers aim to ensure that the theatre never appears empty on camera. Seat fillers therefore play a small but important logistical role in maintaining the visual continuity of the broadcast.
People selected as seat fillers often include film enthusiasts, aspiring industry professionals, or individuals invited through specialised agencies that coordinate event staffing. In some cases, guests may also be chosen through personal invitations or connections within the entertainment industry. While the role is temporary and mostly behind the scenes, it gives participants a rare opportunity to witness Hollywood’s most prominent awards ceremony from inside the venue.
Despite the excitement associated with attending such an event, the role of a seat filler comes with several strict rules. In the lead-up to the 2026 Oscars, media outlet People spoke with Arjun Manjunath, a 22-year-old content creator based in Pittsburgh who worked as a seat filler at the Grammy Awards earlier in February. He described some of the regulations participants must follow while attending major award ceremonies.
One of the first requirements is that seat fillers typically have to pay for their own travel and accommodation expenses. While they are granted access to the event, transportation and lodging are not usually covered by organisers.
Another rule is that mobile phones are often not allowed during the ceremony. This restriction helps prevent distractions and reduces the risk of unauthorised recordings during the live broadcast.
Food and drinks are also generally restricted for seat fillers during the event. Since they may be asked to move quickly between seats at short notice, eating or drinking during the ceremony is discouraged.
A strict dress code is another requirement. Because seat fillers may appear on camera when occupying seats near celebrities, they are expected to dress in formal attire consistent with the overall tone of the event. This ensures they blend seamlessly into the audience without drawing attention.
Interaction with celebrities is also carefully regulated. According to Manjunath, seat fillers are not allowed to approach actors or start conversations with them. However, if a celebrity initiates a conversation, responding politely is usually permitted.
It remains uncertain whether exactly the same rules apply to the Oscars specifically, as guidelines can vary slightly between events and organisers.
The upcoming 98th Academy Awards is scheduled to take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu. A separate streaming agreement involving YouTube is expected to begin later, starting in 2029.
This year’s ceremony will once again be hosted by comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien. As with previous editions, the event is expected to feature performances, award presentations, and appearances by some of the biggest names in the film industry.
While most viewers focus on the celebrities and winners during the Oscars, the presence of seat fillers highlights the complex behind-the-scenes planning required to produce a smooth and visually polished live broadcast. Their role may be largely unnoticed by audiences, but it remains an essential part of the production process that keeps the show running seamlessly.