'Spotlight' takes home best picture honors at Oscars

“Spotlight,” the film that follows The Boston Globe’s investigation into the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church, won best picture at the 88th Academy Awards held on Sunday night.

"This film gave a voice to survivors, and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican," producer Michael Sugar said in accepting the Oscar.

"Pope Francis, it’s time to protect the children and restore the faith," he added. 

"We would not be here today without the heroic efforts of our reporters," said Blye Pagon Faust, another "Spotlight" producer. "Not only do they affect global change, but they absolutely show us the necessity for investigative journalism."

In January 2002, the Globe published its first report from its Spotlight investigative team uncovering the sexual abuse scandal in the Boston archdiocese. The stories that followed helped place the issue of clerical sexual abuse of children on the nation's conscience and ultimately beyond U.S. borders. The Globe's reporting added a major metropolitan voice to the work of other smaller publications in uncovering the abuse scandal, including a Boston-area alternative weekly, the Phoenix, and National Catholic Reporter, which published its first story on the abuse crisis in 1985. 

More: "Read NCR's coverage of Oscar-nominated 'Spotlight'" (Feb. 27, 2016)

In taking home best picture, "Spotlight" beat out seven other films, including "The Revenant" -- considered a heavy favorite to grab the award -- and "Mad Max: Fury Road," which led with six Oscar wins on the night.

"Spotlight" was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning the Oscar for best original screenplay in addition to best picture. The film also earned nominations in the best supporting actress (Rachel McAdams), best supporting actor (Mark Ruffalo), best director (Tom McCarthy), and film editing categories.

Before the awards ceremony began, Ruffalo, McCarthy and co-writer Josh Singer joined members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests in protesting outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

Keeping it real...Oscars: Mark Ruffalo Joins Sexual Abuse Protest Outside Los Angeles Cathedral https://t.co/JUYNACa9CJ via @thr

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) February 28, 2016

In a statement released before the award show began, SNAP founder Barbara Blaine said that whichever film won the coveted Oscar statues, it is children who "win" each time someone watches or discusses the film.

"No matter which Hollywood types walk away with those statues tonight, kids are the real winners. They are safer because Spotlight has prompted hundreds of thousands to think, talk and take action about child sex crimes and cover ups, even or especially in trusted institutions," she said.

Reaction to "Spotlight" earning best picture honors was cause for celebration among many journalists -- whether they had reported directly on the church abuse story or in an unrelated area -- as an achievement for investigative journalism and a symbol of the importance of funding such work.

'Spotlight' makes history: It's the first movie about journalism to win 'Best Picture' in 70 years https://t.co/DSZmsg69R6

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 29, 2016

Abuse survivors around the world are crying tonight. @SpotlightMovie won best picture.

— Laurie Goodstein (@lauriegnyt) February 29, 2016

Read the #Spotlight report: Church allowed abuse by priest for years- https://t.co/NB08kU5MXx #Oscars #BestPicture pic.twitter.com/NBpmMR9yPJ

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) February 29, 2016

Surprise! 'Spotlight' wins Best Picture, makes journalism the coolest thing ever: https://t.co/lKRRIwr2dL pic.twitter.com/JotVGmHMUC

— Mashable (@mashable) February 29, 2016

As you read all these tweets, go, subscribe to a media outlet, buy a newspaper, invest in reporting. Journalism matters. #spotlight

— Cynthia Needham (@CynthiaNeedham) February 29, 2016

Spotlight isn't about newspapers. It's about the importance of a type of journalism that doesn't make money but does make an impact

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) February 29, 2016

The priestly abuse of children & cover up by bishops is one of the most heinous scandals in history. Thank God journalists discovered it.

— Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) February 29, 2016

So can I say I won an Oscar now? I'd like to thank @TheAcademy... #Oscars https://t.co/8adiXGzYLK

— Emily Miller (@emmillerwrites) February 29, 2016

Hooray for "Spotlight" for brilliant depiction of @BostonGlobe investigative team #realjournalism

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) February 29, 2016

I was still with the Boston Globe when the #Spotlight team was uncovering the church scandal. Glad to see former colleagues' story honored.

— Jeff Wagenheim (@jeffwagenheim) February 29, 2016

I told my #journalism students that #Spotlight is their generation's "All the President's Men." Thrilled for cast & #BostonGlobe team.

— Connie Schultz (@ConnieSchultz) February 29, 2016

All the President's Men inspired my fledgling journalism career. #Spotlight reaffirmed my judgment. #FightThePower https://t.co/11cfAoAJ8K

— John Diaz (@JohnDiazChron) February 29, 2016

How the #oscars2016 best picture winner #SpotlightMovie makes a compelling case for investigative journalism https://t.co/BBbY265zx8

— Knight Foundation (@knightfdn) February 29, 2016

Spotlight dir: "Good journalism is an essential element of our democracy. We have to do what we can to protect it" https://t.co/cfJSp719VQ

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 29, 2016

Spotlight is a film about why journalism is necessary, difficult, and important to support— https://t.co/pm4U9njbgP

— Gabe Rosenberg (@GabrielJR) February 29, 2016

Ink-stained wretches, sleep well tonight. #Spotlight. Print journalism. Not going gentle into that good night. (Hey, humor us)
-- 30 --

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) February 29, 2016

That moment when a movie wins for victims; and for reporters & editors giving their best to serve humanity. #spotlight

— Corey Johnson (@CoreyGJohnson) February 29, 2016

Great that "Spotlight" won for best picture. Three cheers and wishing a long life for investigative journalism--essential for our democracy.

— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) February 29, 2016

Spotlight wins! And @Pontifex gets a directive. https://t.co/rIv5u1exT5

— Holly Meyer (@HollyAMeyer) February 29, 2016

Amazing journalism story but more importantly giving renewed urgency to finish cleaning out the Catholic church of sexual abuse.#Spotlight

— ProfB (@AntheaButler) February 29, 2016

Same day @SpotlightMovie won Best Picture, top Cardinal in Vatican testified for Aussie panel on his role in sex abuse scandal.

— Laurie Goodstein (@lauriegnyt) February 29, 2016

[Brian Roewe is an NCR staff writer. His email address is broewe@ncronline.org. Follow him on Twitter: @BrianRoewe.]