The 97th Academy Awards, held at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, was a night to remember. The Oscars 2025 celebrated the best in film, with historical wins and unforgettable moments that will be talked about for years to come.
The theme of this year’s Oscars was “Community and Spirit,” honoring the 29 lives lost and thousands of homes destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. The ceremony began with a heartfelt performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, setting the emotional tone for the evening.
The big winner of the night was Sean Baker’s independent drama “Anora,” which took home five Oscars, including Best Picture. The film tells the gripping story of a Brooklyn exotic dancer entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch. Sean Baker also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing for his work on “Anora”. 
In the acting categories, Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role in “Anora,” while Adrien Brody took home the Best Actor award for his performance in “The Brutalist”. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” and Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “A Real Pain”.
Other notable winners included “Wicked,” which won Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, and “Dune: Part Two,” which took home awards for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. The Best International Feature Film award went to Brazil’s “I’m Still Here,” and the Best Documentary Feature award was given to “No Other Land”.
The night was filled with memorable moments, including a tribute to the heroes and victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, a performance by Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Raye honoring the music of the James Bond films, and a touching In Memoriam segment led by Morgan Freeman, paying tribute to the late Gene Hackman.
The 97th Academy Awards was a night of celebration, reflection, and unforgettable moments, showcasing the best in film and honoring the resilience and spirit of the community. As the stars left the Dolby Theatre, the world was reminded of the power of storytelling and the impact of cinema on our lives.
Best Picture
“Anora” – Directed by Sean Baker, this independent drama tells the story of a Brooklyn exotic dancer entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Best Actress
Mikey Madison – She won Best Actress for her role in “Anora,” delivering a breakthrough performance that captivated audiences and critics alike.
Best Actor
Adrien Brody – He took home the Best Actor award for his performance in “The Brutalist,” a film about a Holocaust survivor. This is Brody’s second Oscar win, having previously won for “The Pianist”.
Best Supporting Actress
Zoe Saldaña – She won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” becoming the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award.
Best Supporting Actor
Kieran Culkin – He won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “A Real Pain.” Culkin has had a successful awards season, winning multiple accolades for this role.
Best Director
Sean Baker – In addition to Best Picture, Baker won Best Director for “Anora.” He tied Walt Disney’s record for the most Academy Awards won by a single person in one year.
Best International Feature Film
“I’m Still Here” (Brazil) – This film won the Best International Feature Film award, marking Brazil’s first Oscar win.
Best Documentary Feature
“No Other Land” – This documentary, made in collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli activists, depicts the living conditions in the Gaza Strip and won the Best Documentary Feature award.
Best Costume Design
Paul Tazewell – He became the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on “Wicked”.
Best Production Design
“Wicked” – The film also won the award for Best Production Design.
Best Sound and Best Visual Effects
“Dune: Part Two” – This film took home awards for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
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