The 97th Academy Awards ceremony captivated film enthusiasts worldwide on March 2, 2025, as the entertainment industry’s elite gathered at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. This prestigious celebration of cinematic excellence was masterfully hosted by beloved television personality Conan O’Brien, whose sharp wit and comedic timing kept the star-studded audience engaged throughout the evening’s festivities.
97th Academy Awards 2025 Winners
The independent film “Anora” emerged as the night’s undisputed champion, securing the coveted Best Picture award against formidable contenders including “The Brutalist,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “Wicked.” Director Sean Baker added to the film’s impressive haul by winning Best Director, demonstrating his exceptional storytelling prowess and vision.
The film’s rising star, Mikey Madison, delivered a career-defining performance that earned her the Best Actress trophy, prevailing over established talents like Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore. “Anora” further cemented its place in Oscar history by winning Best Film Editing, bringing its total to an impressive four awards.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | Anora |
| Best Actress | Mikey Madison – Anora |
| Best Actor | Adrien Brody – The Brutalist |
| Best Supporting Actress | Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez |
| Best Supporting Actor | Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain |
| Best Director | Sean Baker – Anora |
| Best International Feature | I’m Still Here – Brazil |
| Best Animated Feature | Flow |
| Best Original Screenplay | Anora – Sean Baker |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Conclave – Peter Straughan |
| Best Original Song | “El Mal” – Emilia Pérez |
| Best Original Score | The Brutalist |
| Best Documentary Feature | No Other Land |
| Best Costume Design | Wicked |
| Best Make-up and Hairstyling | The Substance |
| Best Production Design | Wicked |
| Best Sound | Dune: Part Two |
| Best Film Editing | Anora |
| Best Cinematography | The Brutalist |
| Best Visual Effects | Dune: Part Two |
| Best Live Action Short | I’m Not a Robot |
| Best Animated Short | In the Shadow of the Cypress |
| Best Documentary Short | The Only Girl in the Orchestra |
Outstanding Performances Recognized Across Categories
Adrien Brody claimed his second Academy Award, winning Best Actor for his transformative role in “The Brutalist.” His nuanced portrayal edged out remarkable performances from Timothée Chalamet (“A Complete Unknown”), Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”), Ralph Fiennes (“Conclave”), and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”).
In the supporting categories, Zoe Saldaña took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her compelling work in “Emilia Pérez,” while Kieran Culkin was honored as Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain,” marking his first Oscar win after years of acclaimed television work.
International Cinema Makes Its Mark
The Best International Feature category highlighted exceptional global filmmaking, with Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” claiming the prize. Other nominated films included Denmark’s “The Girl with the Needle,” France’s “Emilia Pérez,” Germany’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” and Latvia’s “Flow.”
Speaking of “Flow,” the animated feature surprised industry observers by winning Best Animated Feature, triumphing over highly anticipated sequels like “Inside Out 2” and beloved franchise entries such as “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.”
Technical Excellence and Creative Brilliance
“The Brutalist” continued its winning streak with awards for Best Original Score and Best Cinematography, while the fantasy musical “Wicked” dominated design categories, securing both Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction epic “Dune: Part Two” demonstrated its technical mastery by winning Best Visual Effects and Best Sound, further establishing the franchise’s reputation for audiovisual excellence.
Screenplay and Documentary Highlights
The Academy recognized outstanding writing achievements, awarding Sean Baker Best Original Screenplay for “Anora” and Peter Straughan Best Adapted Screenplay for “Conclave.” The powerful documentary “No Other Land” claimed Best Documentary Feature, while “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” won Best Documentary Short.
Music and Artistry Celebrated
The haunting track “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez” won Best Original Song, adding to the film’s impressive showing at the ceremony. Meanwhile, the body horror thriller “The Substance” received recognition for its groundbreaking Best Make-up and Hairstyling.
Short Film Categories Showcase Emerging Talent
The Academy continued its tradition of highlighting emerging filmmakers through the short film categories. “I’m Not a Robot” won Best Live Action Short, while “In the Shadow of the Cypress” claimed Best Animated Short.
A Night of Celebration and Recognition
The 97th Academy Awards represented a diverse celebration of filmmaking excellence, honoring productions that pushed creative boundaries and delivered powerful narratives. From indie darlings to technical showcases, the ceremony reflected the rich tapestry of modern cinema, cementing its position as the entertainment industry’s most prestigious recognition.
As the curtain fell on another memorable Oscar night, film enthusiasts worldwide began speculating about the next generation of cinematic masterpieces that might grace the Academy’s stage in 2026, continuing the enduring legacy of this celebrated institution.
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