The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrated the best in cinema from the past year with glamour and heartfelt moments.
Highlights of the Night
The film “Anora” emerged as the big winner, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. Baker made history by being the first to win four Oscars for a single film, claiming awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
“If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it,” said Baker In his acceptance speech. “We need more. This is proof.”
Mikey Madison, who starred in “Anora,” won Best Actress for her role as the titular character. In her speech, she paid tribute to the sex worker community, stating, “I want to recognize and honor the sex worker community. The incredible people I’ve met from that community have been one of the highlights of this entire experience.”
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his role in “The Brutalist,” marking his second Oscar win. Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, taking home Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez.”
The night also featured memorable performances by artists such as Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Doja Cat, adding a musical flair to the celebration.
List of winners and nominees
Here’s a complete list of the winners and nominees from the 97th Academy Awards:
Best Picture
- Winner: Anora
- Nominees: The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, Wicked
Best Actress
- Winner: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Nominees: Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Demi Moore (The Substance), Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
Best Actor
- Winner: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Nominees: Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)
Best Supporting Actress
- Winner: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Nominees: Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
Best Supporting Actor
- Winner: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Nominees: Yura Borisov (Anora), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
Best Director
- Winner: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Nominees: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
Best Cinematography
- Winner: The Brutalist
- Nominees: Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Maria, Nosferatu
Best International Feature Film
- Winner: I’m Still Here
- Nominees: The Girl with the Needle, Emilia Pérez, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Flow
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Winner: Conclave
- Nominees: A Complete Unknown, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing
Best Original Screenplay
- Winner: Anora
- Nominees: The Brutalist, A Real Pain, September 5, The Substance
Best Animated Feature Film
- Winner: Flow
- Nominees: Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, The Wild Robot
Best Original Song
- Winner: “El Mal” (Emilia Pérez)
- Nominees: “The Journey” (The Six Triple Eight), “Like a Bird” (Sing Sing), “Mi Camino” (Emilia Pérez), “Never Too Late” (Elton John: Never Too Late)
