Oscars 2025 Winners and Highlights: A Night of Historic Wins and Powerful Statements

Image credits: Carlos Barría/Reuters

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, was a night to remember, with several historic wins and powerful statements made on stage. The ceremony, hosted by Conan O'Brien, saw Anora take home five awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, for its portrayal of a Russian American stripper and her struggles in a precarious world. The film's director, Sean Baker, made history by becoming the first person to win four awards in the same night for the same film, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

The night also saw other historic wins, including Paul Tazewell becoming the first African American man to win the Best Costume Design category for his work on the Broadway musical adaptation Wicked. Zoe Saldana also made history by becoming the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Perez. The ceremony also highlighted the importance of diversity and representation in the film industry, with several winners and nominees breaking barriers and pushing boundaries.

The Oscars also saw a number of powerful statements made on stage, with several winners using their acceptance speeches to highlight social and political issues. Basel Adra, co-director of the documentary No Other Land, which won the Best Documentary Feature category, spoke about the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people and called for an end to human rights abuses. Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, spoke about the importance of remembering the past and learning from it, and the need to stand up against hate and oppression.

The ceremony also saw a number of notable performances and presentations, including a tribute to the magic of movies and the importance of the theatrical experience. With the film industry still recovering from the pandemic-era slump, several winners and nominees appealed to audiences to support local movie theaters and to keep the art of filmmaking alive. The night was also marked by a sense of community and solidarity, with several winners and nominees highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual support in the film industry.

Some of the other notable winners of the night included Mikey Madison, who won Best Actress for her role in Anora, and Kieran Culkin, who won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. The ceremony also saw a number of notable snubs and surprises, including the omission of several high-profile films and actors from the list of nominees. Despite this, the night was marked by a sense of excitement and celebration, with several winners and nominees taking to social media to express their gratitude and joy.

Here are some of the winners of the 97th Academy Awards:

• 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 Saldana, Emilia Perez
• Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
• Best International Feature: I'm Still Here, Brazil
• Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell, Wicked
• Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker, Anora