A detailed recap of the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025), highlighting the winners, key moments, and notable achievements in film. Anora wins big!
The 97th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars 2025, took place on March 2, 2025, and were broadcast live on ABC and Hulu. Conan O’Brien served as the host for the evening, which celebrated the best in film across 23 categories. The ceremony also paid tribute to the heroes and victims of the recent Los Angeles wildfires. The show included performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, a tribute to James Bond music featuring Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Raye, and tributes to Quincy Jones and Gene Hackman.
Best Picture and Director
Anora emerged as the top winner of the night, securing the coveted Best Picture award. Sean Baker, the director of Anora, also won awards for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film’s success highlighted a night of significant wins for several other productions.
Acting Awards
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody was named Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her performance in Anora. The supporting actor awards recognized Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain and Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez. Notably, Zoe Saldaña’s win marked her as the “first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award.”
Screenplay Awards
Peter Straughan received the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Conclave. Sean Baker’s win for Best Original Screenplay for Anora added to the film’s multiple accolades.
Animated and Documentary Features
Flow won the award for Best Animated Feature, marking the first-ever win for Latvia. No Other Land was named Best Documentary Feature. In the short film categories, The Only Girl in the Orchestra won Best Documentary Short, and I’m Not a Robot won Best Live Action Short.
International Recognition
I’m Still Here was recognized as Best International Feature Film, securing Brazil’s first Oscar win. The film’s victory underscored the global reach and impact of the Academy Awards.
Technical and Design Awards
Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked. The same film also won Best Production Design. Dune: Part Two was honored for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, highlighting its technical achievements. The Brutalist earned awards for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score, with Daniel Blumberg winning for the latter.
Music and Makeup
Emilia Pérez won Best Original Song for “El Mal.” Best makeup and hairstyling went to The Substance, recognizing the film’s excellence in these areas.
Multiple Wins
Several films earned multiple awards, reflecting their overall excellence in various categories. Anora led the way with five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Editing. The Brutalist won Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. Dune: Part Two secured wins for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Emilia Pérez also earned multiple accolades, including Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song. Wicked took home awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Films with Multiple Nominations
Some films received multiple nominations but did not win in every category. These included A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Wicked, and Emilia Pérez. Their presence among the nominees underscores their artistic merit and contribution to the year’s cinematic landscape.
The 97th Academy Awards celebrated a diverse range of films and talent, recognizing excellence in storytelling, performance, and technical achievement. The event showcased the global impact of cinema and honored the artists who bring these stories to life.
Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/02/oscars-academy-awards-winners-live
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscars-2025-winners-list/
https://abc.com/news/8d96bb37-bd59-4c28-a470-46f244f63b3b/category/3590742