The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrated the finest achievements in cinema from the past year. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony was a night of glamour, surprises, and historic wins. This article delves into the highlights of the event, notable moments, and provides a comprehensive list of winners across all categories.
Highlights of the 2025 Oscars
“Anora” Dominates the Night
The film “Anora” emerged as the biggest winner, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. The movie’s raw portrayal of a Brooklyn sex worker resonated with both critics and audiences, making its triumph a highlight of the evening.
Memorable Acceptance Speeches
Adrien Brody, awarded Best Actor for his role in “The Brutalist,” delivered an emotional speech emphasizing the importance of storytelling in bridging cultural divides. Similarly, Mikey Madison’s heartfelt acceptance highlighted the challenges and rewards of portraying complex characters.
Red Carpet Fashion
The red carpet was ablaze with stunning fashion statements. Notably, Selena Gomez dazzled in a custom Ralph Lauren gown adorned with over 16,000 glass droplets and Rosemont crystals. The ensemble’s weight and design became a talking point, showcasing Gomez’s dedication to high fashion.
Comprehensive List of Winners
Below is a detailed table of the winners across various categories at the 2025 Oscars:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 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 Saldaña – “Emilia Pérez” |
| Best Original Screenplay | “Anora” |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | “Conclave” |
| Best Animated Feature Film | “Flow” |
| Best International Feature Film | “I’m Still Here” (Brazil) |
| Best Documentary Feature | “No Other Land” |
| Best Cinematography | Lol Crawley – “The Brutalist” |
| Best Film Editing | “Anora” |
| Best Production Design | “Wicked” |
| Best Costume Design | Paul Tazewell – “Wicked” |
| Best Makeup and Hairstyling | “The Substance” |
| Best Visual Effects | “Dune: Part Two” |
| Best Original Score | “The Brutalist” |
| Best Original Song | “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez” |
| Best Sound | “Dune: Part Two” |
| Best Short Film (Live Action) | “I’m Not a Robot” |
| Best Short Film (Animated) | “In the Shadow of the Cypress” |
| Best Documentary (Short Subject) | “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” |
Note: The above information is compiled from various sources, including ABC News, Rotten Tomatoes, and Vanity Fair.
For a visual recap of the event, you can watch the highlights below:
Notable Moments
Historic Wins and Records
“Anora’s” success marked a significant achievement for independent cinema. Sean Baker won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. This triple win underscored his multifaceted talent and dedication to storytelling.
Diversity and Representation
The 2025 Oscars were lauded for their inclusivity. Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination for Best Actress in “Emilia Pérez” was a landmark moment for transgender representation in mainstream cinema. Additionally, “I’m Still Here,” a Brazilian film, winning Best International Feature Film, highlighted the Academy’s recognition of global narratives.
Performances and Presentations
The ceremony featured powerful performances, including a rendition of “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez,” which won Best Original Song. Presenters like Samuel L. Jackson and Selena Gomez added star power to the event, with Gomez’s appearance drawing significant media attention due to her stunning attire.
The 97th Academy Awards celebrated the diverse and evolving landscape of cinema. From groundbreaking wins to memorable performances, the 2025 Oscars will be remembered as a night that honored both artistic excellence and the power of storytelling.
General Facts
- First Oscars Ceremony – The first Academy Awards were held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
- Smallest Audience – Only 270 people attended the first ceremony, which lasted just 15 minutes.
- Oscars Statuette – The famous golden statuette is 13.5 inches tall, weighs 8.5 pounds, and is made of gold-plated bronze.
- Who Owns an Oscar? – Winners can’t sell their Oscars without first offering them to the Academy for $1.
- Most Nominated Film – “Titanic” (1997), “All About Eve” (1950), and “La La Land” (2016) share the record with 14 nominations each.
- Most Wins by a Film – “Ben-Hur” (1959), “Titanic” (1997), and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003) each won 11 Oscars.
Record-Breaking Winners
- Most Acting Wins – Katharine Hepburn won 4 Oscars for Best Actress, the most in history.
- Most Oscar Nominations for Acting – Meryl Streep holds the record with 21 nominations.
- Youngest Oscar Winner – Tatum O’Neal won Best Supporting Actress at age 10 for Paper Moon (1973).
- Oldest Oscar Winner – Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor at age 83 for The Father (2020).
- First Woman to Win Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow won in 2010 for The Hurt Locker.
Historic Moments
Biggest Oscars Blunder – In 2017, La La Land was mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight.
First Animated Film Nominated for Best Picture – Beauty and the Beast (1991) was the first animated movie to be nominated in this category.
Only Silent Film to Win Best Picture – Wings (1927) won at the first Oscars. However, The Artist (2011) is the only modern silent film to win.
First Streaming Movie to Win Best Picture – CODA (2021), released on Apple TV+, made history.
