“Cinema is the most powerful medium to unite humanity—celebrating stories that transcend borders, languages, and cultures.” — Sean Baker, Best Director 2025
The 97th Academy Awards, held at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, lit up Hollywood with cinematic brilliance, emotional victories, and unforgettable moments. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars blended humor, nostalgia, and celebration as the world’s finest filmmakers gathered under one roof.
This year’s standout? Anora, which dominated the night with wins for Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), and Best Actress (Mikey Madison). Meanwhile, the internationally acclaimed Emilia Pérez made history as the most-nominated non-English language film ever with 13 nominations, though not without its share of controversy.
🏆 Best Picture & Major Awards
The following awards defined the cinematic tone of 2025, spotlighting emotional performances, bold storytelling, and technical brilliance.
🏆 Best Picture: Anora — A gripping narrative with heartfelt execution, Anora was the critical darling of 2025, earning top praise for its originality and emotional depth.
🎥 Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora) — Baker’s intimate, authentic filmmaking style won hearts and accolades, cementing his place among the top directors of this generation.
🎭 Best Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) — Brody returned to Oscar glory with a haunting, layered performance that resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike.
👩🎤 Best Actress in a Leading Role: Mikey Madison (Anora) — Madison’s deeply emotional and powerful portrayal in Anora earned her a well-deserved first Oscar win.
🧔♂️ Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) — A mix of vulnerability and grit made Culkin’s performance a standout.
👩 Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) — Saldaña’s bold role in Emilia Pérez not only wowed audiences but also made history.
Think of the Oscars as the “Olympics of Cinema” — where the world’s best filmmakers compete for gold medals in storytelling, acting, and technical excellence. Anora winning Best Picture is like winning the all-around gold medal in filmmaking.
📋 Complete Oscars 2025 Winners List by Category
Here’s the definitive list of winners from the 97th Academy Awards, categorized for easy reference:
| Category | Winner | Film/Work |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | — | Anora |
| Best Director | Sean Baker | Anora |
| Best Actor | Adrien Brody | The Brutalist |
| Best Actress | Mikey Madison | Anora |
| Best Supporting Actor | Kieran Culkin | A Real Pain |
| Best Supporting Actress | Zoe Saldaña | Emilia Pérez |
| Animated Feature | — | Flow |
| Animated Short | — | In the Shadow of the Cypress |
| Cinematography | Lol Crawley | The Brutalist |
| Costume Design | — | Wicked |
| Documentary Feature | — | No Other Land |
| Documentary Short | — | The Only Girl in the Orchestra |
| Film Editing | Sean Baker | Anora |
| International Feature | — | I’m Still Here (Brazil) |
| Makeup & Hairstyling | — | The Substance |
| Original Score | Daniel Blumberg | The Brutalist |
| Original Song | “El Mal” | Emilia Pérez |
| Production Design | — | Wicked |
| Live Action Short | — | I’m Not a Robot |
| Best Sound | — | Dune: Part Two |
| Visual Effects | — | Dune: Part Two |
| Adapted Screenplay | — | Conclave |
| Original Screenplay | — | Anora |
Big Winners: Anora (5 wins), Dune: Part Two (2 technical wins), The Brutalist (3 wins including Best Actor). Wicked won 2 design awards.
✨ Top Highlights & Takeaways from the 97th Academy Awards
- Anora swept the major categories, winning 5 top awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Film Editing, and Original Screenplay
- Emilia Pérez made history with 13 nominations, the most ever for a non-English language film, though it won fewer awards than predicted due to off-screen controversies
- Dune: Part Two dominated the technical categories, securing Best Sound and Visual Effects, cementing Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic as a technical marvel
- The Brutalist earned multiple wins, including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Cinematography (Lol Crawley), and Original Score (Daniel Blumberg)
- Wicked shone in design, winning both Costume Design and Production Design, celebrating its visual spectacle
- International cinema celebrated, with Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” winning Best International Feature and Latvia’s “Flow” winning Best Animated Feature
Despite receiving a record 13 nominations, Emilia Pérez underperformed in wins due to controversies. This raises an important question: Should off-screen controversies impact artistic recognition? How do we separate art from artist in award ceremonies?
🌍 Historic Wins & Notable Moments
Zoe Saldaña’s Historic Win: Saldaña’s Best Supporting Actress win marked a significant step forward in Latin representation at the Oscars. Her emotional acceptance speech highlighted the importance of diverse storytelling and representation in Hollywood.
Sean Baker’s Indie Triumph: The emotional acceptance speech by Sean Baker emphasized indie filmmaking’s rise. His victory represents a shift in Academy recognition, celebrating authentic, low-budget storytelling over blockbuster spectacle.
Brazil’s Breakthrough: “I’m Still Here” brought Brazil its first win in the International Feature Film category in over a decade, showcasing Latin American cinema’s growing global influence.
Emilia Pérez’s Record: With 13 nominations, Emilia Pérez became the most-nominated non-English language film in Oscar history, surpassing previous records and highlighting the Academy’s increasing international focus.
Conan O’Brien’s Hosting Debut: Conan O’Brien’s first time hosting the Oscars brought his signature wit and charm, balancing comedy with genuine appreciation for cinematic artistry.
Don’t confuse: Emilia Pérez had the MOST NOMINATIONS (13) but Anora won the MOST AWARDS (5). Many students mix these up — remember: nominations ≠ wins.
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Anora won Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, along with 4 other major awards including Best Director, Best Actress, Film Editing, and Original Screenplay.
Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, setting a record for the most nominations ever for a non-English language film at the Oscars.
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his haunting, layered performance in The Brutalist, marking his return to Oscar glory.
Conan O’Brien hosted the 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, bringing his signature wit and charm to the ceremony.
Dune: Part Two won both Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, dominating the technical categories at the 97th Academy Awards.
