The 97th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, delivered a night of major wins, heartfelt speeches, and a celebration of filmmaking. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the event saw Anora emerge as the biggest winner, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Adrien Brody took home his second Best Actor award for The Brutalist, while Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña won in the supporting categories.
A Big Night for ‘Anora’
Independent film Anora took center stage, earning five of the six awards for which it was nominated. Director Sean Baker used his acceptance speech to advocate for local movie theaters, urging audiences to continue supporting the cinematic experience. Producer Samantha Quan echoed this sentiment, encouraging aspiring filmmakers to tell stories that resonate with them.
Mikey Madison, who won Best Actress for her role in Anora, used her speech to acknowledge the community that inspired her character. “I will continue to support and be an ally,” she stated, expressing gratitude for the experiences that shaped her performance.
Adrien Brody Earns Second Best Actor Win
Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for his performance in The Brutalist, portraying a Holocaust survivor and architect navigating life in America. Reflecting on his career, Brody spoke about the challenges of acting, emphasizing how fleeting success can be. He also used his moment on stage to call for unity and an end to division.
“I pray for a healthier and more inclusive world,” he said. “If history teaches us anything, it’s that unchecked hate has consequences. Let’s work toward rebuilding together.”
Supporting Awards and Emotional Tributes
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, and Zoe Saldaña secured Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. Saldaña’s speech highlighted her Dominican heritage and the journey of her immigrant family. “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award,” she stated, adding, “and I know I will not be the last.”
The evening also featured emotional tributes. Morgan Freeman honored the late Gene Hackman, calling him “a giant in the industry and a dear friend.” Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg took the stage to recognize the legendary Quincy Jones, celebrating his contributions to film and music.
Theaters, Performances, and a Call to Action
Sean Baker used his time on stage to address the decline of independent cinemas, warning that nearly 1,000 theaters had closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need to reverse this trend,” he urged, calling on distributors, filmmakers, and audiences to keep theatrical releases alive.
The ceremony featured a standout performance by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who opened the show with a medley of classic songs, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Defying Gravity. The night also included a tribute to James Bond, featuring performances by Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye.
Looking Ahead
With Anora dominating the awards and independent cinema taking center stage, the 2025 Oscars reinforced the power of storytelling in an evolving industry. As filmmakers and actors celebrated their achievements, the message was clear—cinema remains a vital force, bringing people together and shaping cultural conversations.
2025 Academy Awards Winners
Here is the complete list of winners from the 97th Academy Awards:
Best Picture
⭐ Anora – Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker, producers
Best Director
⭐ Sean Baker – Anora
Best Actor in a Leading Role
⭐ Adrien Brody – The Brutalist as László Tóth
Best Actress in a Leading Role
⭐ Mikey Madison – Anora as Anora “Ani” Mikheeva
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
⭐ Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain as Benji Kaplan
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
⭐ Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez as Rita Mora Castro
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
⭐ Sean Baker – Anora
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
⭐ Peter Straughan – Conclave
Best Animated Feature Film
⭐ Flow – Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža, Ron Dyens, and Gregory Zalcman
Best International Feature Film
⭐ I’m Still Here (Brazil) – Walter Salles
Best Documentary Feature Film
⭐ No Other Land – Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham
Best Documentary Short Film
⭐ The Only Girl in the Orchestra – Molly O’Brien and Lisa Remington
Best Live Action Short Film
⭐ I’m Not a Robot – Victoria Warmerdam and Trent
Best Animated Short Film
⭐ In the Shadow of the Cypress – Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi
Best Music (Original Score)
⭐ Daniel Blumberg – The Brutalist
Best Music (Original Song)
⭐ “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard
Best Sound
⭐ Dune: Part Two – Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill
Best Production Design
⭐ Wicked – Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales
Best Cinematography
⭐ Lol Crawley – The Brutalist
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
⭐ The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli
Best Costume Design
⭐ Paul Tazewell – Wicked
Best Film Editing
⭐ Sean Baker – Anora
Best Visual Effects
⭐ Dune: Part Two – Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer
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