The 97th Academy Awards took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This year, comedian Conan O’Brien made his debut as the host, bringing lightness and humor to the show.
The evening was atmospheric, featuring touching speeches, unexpected winners, and historic moments. The full list of winners is in our article.
Main Triumph — “Anora”
The film “Anora” became the true sensation of the ceremony, winning five awards, including the coveted Best Picture. Director Sean Baker made history by taking home four Oscars at once — for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Picture. Only Walt Disney had previously achieved such a record.
The film’s star, Mikey Madison, won the Oscar for Best Actress. This was the actress’s first award, and her emotional speech touched everyone in the audience.
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Adrien Brody’s Comeback
Adrien Brody returned to the stage after 22 years, reminding everyone why he is considered one of the best actors of his generation. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “The Brutalist.” The last time Brody won an Oscar was in 2003 for “The Pianist.” On stage, Brody looked incredibly happy and thanked the film’s team for their support.
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Standout Supporting Roles
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “A Real Pain.” His brother Macaulay Culkin, who was also nominated this year, smiled and applauded him from the audience.
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Zoe Saldana took home the award for her role in “Emilia Pérez”. In her speech, she addressed the important issue of Mexican drug cartels, which the film highlights.
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Diversity and Important Wins
This year was significant for cinema thanks to the diversity of nominees.
- Costume designer Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design for the film “Wicked”.
- The Latvian animated film “Flow” won Best Animated Feature, marking a historic achievement for the country.
Earthquake at the Oscars
The most unexpected moment of the evening was a small earthquake in Los Angeles during the live broadcast. The magnitude was only 3.9, but the tremors were felt by everyone in the theater. Conan O’Brien quickly joked that it was “the Earth’s reaction to the winners’ long speeches”. The ceremony resumed after a few minutes.
Music and Performances
The show opened with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing a song from the musical “Wicked” — a future box office hit. The song went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Full List of Winners
- 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 Pérez”
- Best Animated Feature: “Flow”
- Best International Feature: “I’m Still Here”
- Best Documentary Feature: “No Other Land”
- Best Original Score: “Wicked”
- Best Editing: “Anora”
- Best Visual Effects: “Dune: Part Two”
The 2025 Oscars became a year of breakthroughs and bright emotions. The triumph of “Anora,” the diversity of nominees, and moving speeches made the ceremony unforgettable. Despite the earthquake and a few controversial decisions, the evening once again proved that cinema continues to inspire and unite people around the world.
