The 97th Academy Awards, which took place on March 2, 2025, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, was an evening of suspense, tearful speeches, and some surprise wins. Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, which added humor, glitz, and a reflection of the year’s greatest pictures.

The biggest winner of the evening was Anora, directed by Sean Baker, which took home Best Picture along with Best Director, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. The film’s success cemented Baker’s status as a powerhouse in independent cinema.

Sean Baker made history by winning four individual Oscars in one night, tying a record set by Walt Disney.

Adrien Brody secured his second Best Actor Oscar for The Brutalist, while Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. On the other hand, Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, making history as the first American actor of Dominican origin to win an Oscar.

A Night of Firsts and History-Making Moments
This year’s Oscars had several groundbreaking moments:

Flow, an animated feature from Latvia, won Best Animated Feature, marking the country’s first-ever Oscar win.
Brazil took home its first Best International Feature award with I’m Still Here.
Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked.
Emilia Pérez won Best Original Song for “El Mal,” further highlighting the film’s impact.
A Shift Toward Indie and International Cinema
The 2025 Oscars continued the trend of celebrating independent and international films. While major studio productions had their moments, it was clear that the Academy is embracing fresh storytelling perspectives.

The night was also a showcase for diversity in Hollywood, with many first-time winners from underrepresented backgrounds taking the stage.