The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, dazzled audiences worldwide as Hollywood’s biggest night took center stage at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood on March 2, 2025. With winners announced across 23 categories, the ceremony honored cinematic excellence while paying tribute to the victims and heroes of the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
The highlight of the night was Anora, a film about an erotic dancer and the son of a Russian oligarch, which emerged as the biggest winner with five awards, including the prestigious Best Picture. Director Sean Baker, who also won Best Director, emphasized the significance of independent filmmaking during his acceptance speech.
Mikey Madison took home Best Actress for her captivating role in Anora, while Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist. In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar.
Other groundbreaking wins included Latvia’s Flow, which claimed Best Animated Feature, and Brazil, which celebrated its first-ever Oscar with I’m Still Here winning Best International Feature Film. No Other Land was awarded Best Documentary Feature, while Peter Straughan won Best Adapted Screenplay for Conclave.
The night also marked a milestone in diversity as Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for Wicked, which also secured Best Production Design. The Brutalist dominated the technical categories, taking home Best Cinematography and Best Original Score, while Dune: Part Two won Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Emilia Pérez claimed Best Original Song for “El Mal,” and The Substance won Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The ceremony opened with a stunning performance by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Raye delivered a James Bond-themed musical tribute, while Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg, and Oprah Winfrey honored the late Quincy Jones. The In Memoriam segment saw Morgan Freeman paying tribute to his longtime friend Gene Hackman, accompanied by a moving performance from the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
The 97th Academy Awards not only celebrated the best of filmmaking but also recognized historic achievements and diverse storytelling, reinforcing its reputation as Hollywood’s biggest night. With a blend of high-profile nominees, spectacular performances, and heartfelt tributes, the event highlighted the evolving landscape of the film industry.
