2025 Oscars Winners and Nominees: A Night of Historic Wins and Controversy

Image credits: Caroline Brehman/EPA

The 97th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, was a night of historic wins and controversy, with "Anora" taking home five awards, including best picture and best director. Sean Baker, who directed, edited, wrote, and co-produced "Anora," won four Oscars, tying Walt Disney's record for the most Academy Awards won by a single person in one year. Baker's wins were notable, as he distinguished himself by winning all four awards for the same movie, while Disney won for four different projects at the 1954 ceremony.

"Emilia Pérez" had the most nominations this year with 13, including nods for best picture, best director, best writing, and multiple acting nominations. However, the film was marred by controversy, with offensive posts made by lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón on social media surfacing during her Oscar campaign. Despite this, Zoe Saldaña won the award for best supporting actress for her role in the film, becoming the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar. Saldaña later apologized to Mexicans who were offended by the film, stating that it was never their intention to hurt or offend anyone. The film's director, Jacques Audiard, had previously apologized for any offense caused, stating that cinema only asks questions and does not provide answers.

The ceremony, hosted by Conan O'Brien, saw other historic wins, including Adrian Brody's second best actor Oscar for his role in "The Brutalist." Brody's win came after a highly competitive category, with nominees including Timothée Chalamet for his performance as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown" and Ralph Fiennes for his role in "Conclave." The award for best actress went to Mikey Madison for her role in "Anora," while the film "Wicked" and "The Brutalist" both received 10 nominations each. The Academy Awards continue to be a platform for recognizing excellence in filmmaking, with winners and nominees showcasing their talents in a variety of categories.

Some of the notable winners and nominees of the 97th Academy Awards include:

• Best Picture: "Anora" (winner), "Emilia Pérez," "Wicked," "The Brutalist" (nominees)
• Best Director: Sean Baker (winner), Jacques Audiard, Steven Spielberg (nominees)
• Best Actor: Adrian Brody (winner), Timothée Chalamet, Ralph Fiennes, Colman Domingo, Sebastian Stan (nominees)
• Best Actress: Mikey Madison (winner), Karla Sofía Gascón, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson (nominees)
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (winner), Laura Dern, Jennifer Lawrence, Regina King (nominees)

The film industry continues to evolve, with new talent and innovative storytelling emerging each year. The 97th Academy Awards were a celebration of this evolution, with winners and nominees showcasing their creativity and dedication to their craft.

The 97th Academy Awards will be remembered as a night of historic wins and controversy, with "Anora" and "Emilia Pérez" being two of the most talked-about films of the evening. As the entertainment industry continues to grow and evolve, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for these talented individuals and the films they create.

zoe salda historic u00f1a nomine u00e9rez award controversy emilia oscar