The nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards have finally been revealed, casting the spotlight on films like Emilia Pérez, which topped the list with 13 nominations, marking this year as significant for Hollywood.
The announcement took place on January 12, 2025, by actors Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Los Angeles. The original date had been postponed from January 17 due to devastating wildfires burning through areas of California, leading to changes within the Academy, including extending the voting window.
Despite the tough circumstances surrounding the movie industry, Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, not only dominated the nominations but also set a record for the most nominations received by any international film. It has become the most nominated non-English language film ever, surpassing Netflix's own Roma, which previously held the record with 10 nominations. The film features Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly trans actress nominated for Best Actress.
Alongside Emilia Pérez, the hit musical Wicked and the postwar epic The Brutalist also received accolades, each garnering 10 nominations. The Academy announced the films competing for the coveted Best Picture prize include: Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked.
"There’s been so much devastation these past few weeks, and my heart breaks for LA, but it's beautiful to see everyone coming together," said Mikey Madison, star of Anora, reflecting on the spirit of resilience amid the chaos.
Another highlight of the ceremony is the nomination of Jeremy Strong for his role as Roy Cohn portraying Donald Trump's early career. He expressed gratitude and excitement, stating, "This film forces someone to speak their mind," referencing the provocative nature of The Apprentice and its exploration of heritage and ambition.
While fans applauded many nominations, some were surprised by notable snubs, including Daniel Craig for his performance in Queer, who many thought would make the cut, but instead, Sebastian Stan earned recognition for portraying young Donald Trump.
The race for Best Actor includes favorite nominees Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), with the standout attraction being the raw talent of Strong, who boldly addressed his complicated feelings about portraying his character from such a divisive period.
Best Actress nominations feature Gascón alongside Demi Moore for her compelling performance in The Substance, Cynthia Erivo from Wicked, Fernando Torres from I’m Still Here, and Mikey Madison from Anora. Each nominee brings strong narratives to their work, forcing Academy members to confront issues of representation and artistic expression.
"We will reflect on the recent events... as it’ll be vitally important to honor those who bravely fought against the wildfires," stated Bill Kramer, Academy chief executive, emphasizing the upcoming ceremony's theme centered on resilience and dedication to the craft of filmmaking amid adversity.
Controversies came not just from notable exclusions but also surrounding the nominees' films themselves. Some criticisms of Emilia Pérez center on the representation of the transgender community, showing the film industry's progression and criticism under the lens of the artistic dialogue.
With the awards ceremony scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theatre, the industry is excited about this year's Oscars, especially with Conan O’Brien taking on hosting duties for the first time. Unlike previous years, the presentations will focus on honoring the songwriters without live performances, demonstrating an evolution of the Academy's presentation style.
The resilience of Los Angeles, especially after the catastrophic wildfires, will be at the forefront of this year’s event. The community's ability to unite and support each other, alongside the artistry of film, creates anticipation for what’s to come on Oscar night. The themes of celebration and resilience will guide not only the awards themselves but also the industry as it continues to recover from one of its most challenging periods.
With several weeks to go before the ceremony, the buzz around the contenders, the performers behind them, and the changing dynamics of the Hollywood film industry makes for one of the most unpredictable seasons yet for the Academy Awards.