Oscars 2025 Recap

The 97th Academy Awards unfolded on Sunday evening at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, bringing together Hollywood’s finest to honor the year’s greatest cinematic achievements. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the glittering event celebrated both the artistry and resilience of the film industry, despite challenges posed by the January wildfires and the subsequent reshuffling of schedules and deadlines.

The ceremony maintained its signature glamour, proving that even in the face of adversity, the show must go on. Netflix’s Emilia Pérez dominated the nominations with 13 nods, while Wicked and The Brutalist each secured 10, marking them as serious contenders.

In a night full of surprises and triumphs, Anora emerged as the big winner, clinching multiple major awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Meanwhile, Dune: Part Two triumphed in the technical categories, sweeping awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

• Best Picture: Anora (Neon) – Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker, Producers
• Best Actress in a Leading Role: Mikey Madison, Anora
• Best Director: Sean Baker, Anora
• Best Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
• Best Original Score: The Brutalist
• Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
• Best Cinematography: The Brutalist – Lol Crawley
• Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two – Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer
• Best Sound: Dune: Part Two – Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill
• 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 (Netflix) – Molly O’Brien and Lisa Remington
• Best Original Song: El Mal from Emilia Pérez
• Best Production Design: Wicked – Production Design: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Lee Sandales
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldana, Emilia Pérez
• Best Film Editing: Anora – Sean Baker
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Pierre-Olivier Persin, The Substance
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
• Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell, Wicked
• Best Original Screenplay: Anora – Sean Baker
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
• Best Animated Feature Film: Flow – Directors: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža, Ron Dyens, and Gregory Zalcman
• Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress

This year’s Oscars were a testament to the resilience and creativity of filmmakers, as the industry continues to celebrate the brilliance that defines cinema, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.