The 97th Academy Awards took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements in film for the year 2024.
The evening was marked by memorable moments, including Sean Baker’s “Anora” dominating with multiple award wins and heartfelt acceptance speeches from the winners.
The event was broadcast live, drawing millions of viewers worldwide. Here are who won and the Oscar 2025 winners.
Oscar 2025 Winners List
| 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 Cinematography | The Brutalist |
| Best Film Editing | Anora |
| Best Production Design | Wicked |
| Best Original Screenplay | Anora |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Conclave |
| Best Visual Effects | Dune: Part Two |
| Best Sound | Dune: Part Two |
| Best Music (Original Score) | Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist) |
| Best Music (Original Song) | El Mal (Emilia Pérez) |
| Best Costume Design | Wicked |
| Best Makeup & Hairstyling | The Substance |
| Best Animated Feature Film | Flow |
| Best Animated Short Film | In the Shadow of the Cypress |
| Best International Feature Film | I’m Still Here (Brazil) |
| Best Documentary Feature Film | No Other Land |
| Best Documentary Short Film | The Only Girl in the Orchestra |
| Best Live Action Short Film | I’m Not a Robot |
Best Picture Winner
Winner: Anora.
“Anora” is a poignant drama that delves into the life of a young woman navigating personal and societal challenges in a rapidly changing world. The film’s authentic storytelling and performances resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning it the coveted Best Picture award.
Nominations:
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Actor & Best Actress
Best Actor
Winner: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Adrien Brody delivered a powerful performance in “The Brutalist,” portraying a visionary architect facing personal and professional turmoil. His nuanced acting captured the complexity of the character, earning him the Best Actor award.
Nominations:
- Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
- Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
- Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
- Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice).
Also Read: Explore more about the greatest actors of all time here.
Best Actress
Winner: Mikey Madison (Anora)
Mikey Madison’s portrayal of Anora captivated audiences with its authenticity. Her ability to embody the character’s struggles and resilience made her performance stand out, securing her the Best Actress award.
Nominations:
- Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
- Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
- Demi Moore (The Substance)
- Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
Best Supporting Actor & Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain).
Kieran Culkin’s role in “A Real Pain” showcased his versatility and depth as an actor, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award.
Nominations:
- Yura Borisov (Anora)
- Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
- Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
- Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez).
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican origin to win the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Emilia Pérez.” Her performance added depth and nuance to the film, setting her apart from her fellow nominees given below.
Nominations:
- Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)
- Ariana Grande (Wicked)
- Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
- Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
Best Director & Other Major Awards
Best Director
Winner: Sean Baker (Anora)
Sean Baker’s masterful direction of “Anora” earned him the Best Director award. His ability to tell intimate stories with universal appeal has solidified his reputation in the film industry.
Nominations:
- Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
- James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)
- Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
- Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
Read More: Meet cinema’s greatest directors here.
Best Cinematography
Winner: The Brutalist
Lol Crawley’s cinematography in “The Brutalist” was lauded for its visual storytelling and aesthetic excellence, earning the film the Best Cinematography award.
Nominations:
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Maria
- Nosferatu
Best Film Editing
Winner: Anora
The seamless editing of “Anora” played a crucial role in its storytelling, earning it the Best Film Editing award.
Nominations:
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
Best Production Design
Winner: Wicked
“Wicked” captivated audiences with its imaginative and detailed production design, securing the award in this category.
Nominations:
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Nosferatu
Writing Categories
Best Original Screenplay
Winner: Anora
Sean Baker’s original screenplay for “Anora” was celebrated for its narrative and character development, earning the award for Best Original Screenplay.
Nominations:
- The Brutalist, Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold
- A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg
- September 5, Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum & Alex David
- The Substance, Coralie Fargeat
Best Adapted Screenplay
Winner: Conclave, Peter Straughan
Peter Straughan’s adaptation of “Conclave” impressed the Academy, earning him the Best Adapted Screenplay award.
Nominations:
- A Complete Unknown, James Mangold & Jay Cocks
- Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard
- Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes
- Sing Sing, Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Technical & Artistic Awards
Best Visual Effects
Winner: Dune: Part Two
The visual effects team of Dune: Part Two delivered stunning visuals that brought the sci-fi epic to life, earning them the best visual effects awards.
Nominations:
- Alien: Romulus
- Better Man
- The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- Wicked
Best Sound
Winner: Dune: Part Two
The immersive sound design in Dune: Part Two played a crucial role in enhancing the film’s epic scope and intensity, earning it the Best Sound award.
Nominations:
- A Complete Unknown
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Best Music (Original Score)
Winner: The Brutalist – Daniel Blumberg
Daniel Blumberg’s haunting and evocative score for The Brutalist captured the film’s emotional depth, earning him the Academy Award for Best Original Score. His compositions added a profound layer to the film’s storytelling, blending melancholic tones with striking orchestral arrangements.
Nomination:
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Music (Original Song)
Winner: El Mal – Emilia Pérez
The powerful and deeply moving El Mal from Emilia Pérez took home the Oscar for Best Original Song. With its stirring lyrics and captivating melody, the song perfectly complemented the film’s dramatic narrative, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.
Nominees:
- The Journey – The Six Triple Eight
- Like A Bird – Sing Sing
- Mi Camino – Emilia Pérez
- Never Too Late – Elton John: Never Too Late
Best Costume Design
Winner: Wicked
The extravagant and meticulously crafted costumes in Wicked brought the magical world of Oz to life, securing the Best Costume Design award.
Nominations:
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Nosferatu
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
Winner: The Substance
The Substance was recognized for its striking and transformative makeup effects, winning the Best Makeup & Hairstyling award.
Nominations:
- A Different Man
- Emilia Pérez
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Animated & International Categories
Best Animated Feature Film
Winner: Flow
The animated feature Flow captivated audiences with its innovative storytelling and visual beauty, earning it the Best Animated Feature Film award.
Nominations:
- Inside Out 2
- Memoir of a Snail
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- The Wild Robot
Best Animated Short Film
Winner: In the Shadow of the Cypress
In the Shadow of the Cypress was awarded Best Animated Short Film for its emotionally resonant narrative and stunning animation.
Nominations:
- Beautiful Men
- Magic Candies
- Wander to Wonder
- Yuck!
Best International Feature Film
Winner: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
Brazil’s I’m Still Here took home the Best International Feature Film award, standing out for its powerful storytelling and cinematography.
Nominations:
- The Girl with The Needle, Denmark
- Emilia Pérez, France
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Germany
- Flow, Latvia
Documentary & Short Film Awards
Best Documentary Feature Film
Winner: No Other Land
The Best Documentary Feature Film award went to No Other Land, a poignant and thought-provoking film that resonated with audiences.
Nominations:
- Black Box Diaries
- Porcelain War
- Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
- Sugarcane
Best Documentary Short Film
Winner: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
This impactful documentary short won for its compelling storytelling and emotional depth.
Nominations:
- Death By Numbers
- I Am Ready, Warden
- Incident
- Instruments of a Beating Heart
Best Live Action Short Film:
Winner: I’m Not a Robot
The Best Live Action Short Film award went to I’m Not a Robot, which stood out for its unique narrative and execution.
Nominations:
- A Lien
- Anuja
- The Last Ranger
- The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Biggest Surprises & Snubs At Oscar 2025 Winners
The 97th Academy Awards delivered several surprises and snubs.
- Mikey Madison’s victory over Demi Moore came as a major surprise. Despite Moore’s strong momentum from winning the Golden Globe and SAG Awards, Madison, an emerging talent, clinched the Best Actress award.
- The Best Animated Feature Oscar went to Flow, a lesser-known Latvian film, which triumphed over favorites like The Wild Robot and Inside Out 2. This marked Latvia’s first-ever Oscar win.
- In another unexpected turn, I’m Still Here won the Best Foreign Film award, beating out the highly-nominated Emilia Pérez, which had 13 nominations. Given Emilia Pérez’s dominant presence in the awards season, this result came as a shock.
- No Other Land took home the Best Documentary Feature Oscar, drawing attention to its powerful message advocating for Palestinian rights.
Conclusion: Anora Won 5 Awards At The 97th Oscars
The 2025 Oscars highlighted a year of bold storytelling, innovative filmmaking, and groundbreaking performances.
Anora emerged as the biggest winner, cementing its place in cinematic history.
The ceremony also underscored the Academy’s evolving appreciation for diverse narratives and international cinema.
With surprises, snubs, and well-deserved victories, the 97th Academy Awards once again proved to be an unforgettable night for the film industry.
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