Los Angeles – The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honored the best in cinema. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the grand night saw a mix of expected victories and historic wins.
Major Winners
Best Picture went to Anora, a film that also won Best Director for Sean Baker and Best Original Screenplay. Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) took home Best Actor in a Leading Role, while Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first transgender actress to win Best Actress in a Leading Role for Emilia Pérez.
Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) won in the supporting acting categories. The Brutalist dominated technical awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.
Notable wins
The sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two swept Best Visual Effects and Best Sound, while Paul Tazewell won Best Costume Design for Wicked. Best Animated Feature went to Flow, marking a big moment for independent animation.
Best Original Song went to “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez, adding to the film’s success. No Other Land took home Best Documentary Feature, and The Substance won Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Complete List of Winners
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress in a Leading Role: Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora (Sean Baker)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave (Peter Straughan)
- Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
- Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell (Wicked)
- Best Original Score: The Brutalist
- Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here
- Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
- Best Short Film (Live Action): I’m Not a Robot
- Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
- Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
- Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
- Best Documentary Short Subject: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
- Best Original Song: “El Mal” (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
- Best Film Editing: Anora
This year’s Oscars celebrated diversity and storytelling excellence, with Anora, Emilia Pérez, and The Brutalist emerging as the biggest winners.
