The 97th Academy Awards, held on the night of March 2 to 3, 2025, celebrated the best in film at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O’Brien. The evening was filled with excitement, surprise, and anticipation as nominees were revealed and awards presented.
This year’s Oscars saw Anora, directed by Sean Baker, rise to the occasion, winning five prestigious awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. The film's triumph adds to its prestige as it continues to garner acclaim, particularly following its success at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the coveted Palme d'Or.
Despite being nominated for only six awards, Anora achieved most of its nominations, proving to be the night’s biggest winner. Sean Baker, who also served as one of the producers, was noted for his multi-faceted role, which garnered him Best Director honors and highlighted the film's grassroots origins as it was created outside the traditional Hollywood studio system.
The Best Actor award went to Adrien Brody for his powerful portrayal of László Tóth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor, in The Brutalist. This marks Brody's second Oscar win, having previously made history as the youngest Best Actor winner for his role in The Pianist back in 2003.
Another highlight of the evening was Zoe Saldaña's victory for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, where she delivered an emotional speech celebrating her heritage as the first American of Dominican descent to win this award. Saldaña's heartfelt remarks about her immigrant roots reverberated throughout the audience with palpable emotion, stating, "I am proud to be the first American of Dominican descent to win, but I won’t be the last!"
Despite its initial status as the frontrunner with thirteen nominations, Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, faced mounting controversy leading up to the ceremony. The film’s lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, faced backlash for past comments on social media, which tainted the film's reputation and led to questions about whether it was deserving of its nominations. The film only secured two wins—a stark reminder of how public perception can significantly impact awards success.
Besides Anora and The Brutalist, other winners included A Real Pain, whose Kieran Culkin took home the award for Best Supporting Actor, demonstrating the breadth of talent among this year’s nominees. The animated film Flow unexpectedly won the Best Animated Feature, surprising many who anticipated Pixar’s Inside Out 2 to take the title.
The ceremony also honored the documentary No Other Land, which won Best Documentary and highlighted the struggles of Palestinian activists, bringing the audience to reflect upon pressing global issues. Its director, Basel Adra, emphasized the importance of storytelling as he received the award, passionately stating the need for action against inequality and addressing harsh realities faced by communities around the world.
Other notable mentions from the night included Paul Tazewell making history as the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked, underlining important progress for representation within the industry.
The awards ceremony showcased euphoric moments, especially during the musical performances, and concluded with tributes to cinematic excellence. With O’Brien injecting humor throughout, the night provided not just recognition for incredible talent but also discussions about equity, diversity, and the intersectionality of cinema with real-world issues.
While this year’s Oscars will be remembered for Anora's sweeping victories, it serves as both triumph and reminder of the complexity behind the awards process. The film's successes and the challenges it faced become part of cinema's broader narrative—a reflection of not just artistic merit, but also the social dynamics and controversies orbiting around productions. It emphasizes the importance for filmmakers to remain true to their vision amid external pressures, as seen through Baker’s bold storytelling.
This year's Academy Awards left audiences reflecting on powerful narratives both on-screen and off, establishing new discussions about identity, representation, and the future of storytelling within the film industry. With the next generation of filmmakers watching to take inspiration from these narratives of victory, challenges, and the pursuit of dreams, the 2025 Oscars will undoubtedly inspire future projects aiming for not just recognition, but meaningful impact.
Through these memorable moments, the Oscars continue to capture the essence of cinema—celebration, challenge, and the art of storytelling pursued passionately. Here’s to the filmmakers who bravely tell their stories and the audiences who champion their journeys.