Here's why Jimmy Kimmel saluted behind-the-scenes workers before starting the Oscar ceremony

The 96th Academy Awards turned out to be a star-studded affair for the cinema industry as the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and Christopher Nolan all graced the event. The event was hosted by TV host Jimmy Kimmel who paid a sweet tribute to the film industry's behind-the-scenes workers in a rather poignant moment at the beginning of the show.

Kimmel thanked the workers for their support of the striking WGA and SAG/AFTRA members. With a wholehearted shoutout to the workers, Kimmel said, "We were able to make a deal because of the people who rallied beside us. Before we celebrate ourselves, let’s have a very well-deserved round of applause for the people who work behind the scenes: the Teamsters, the truck drivers, the lighting crew, the sound, camera, gaffers, grips. That’s right. All the people who refused to cross the picket line." His heartfelt shoutout drew huge cheers from the audience and a standing ovation.

Kimmel's comes in the aftermath of worker strikes that swept across Hollywood last year after work stoppages by both actors and members of the Writers Guild of America. This dispute saw the shutdown of America's top programs and film productions and left the industry to hang in limbo. Thankfully, a tentative deal was struck with an alliance of film studios and streaming platforms, putting an end to this dispute. Moving on to the occasion, it was a dazzling night for cinema as last year's blockbuster "Oppenheimer" raked up multiple awards. Emma Stone turned out to be a surprise winner for her work in "Poor Things" and picked up the Best Actress award.

For the night's host, Kimmel turned on his A-game for the occasion and waltzed to another fine hosting performance at the Academy Awards. With this appearance, the American TV star has now hosted the Oscars four times, a peak moment in his career. His latest hosting appearance has been widely appreciated by cinema enthusiasts with many publications calling it "one of the best hosted Oscars shows in recent times."