Los Angeles: The low-budget comedy Anora dominated the 2025 Academy Awards, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Adrien Brody claimed Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist.
Sean Baker, the creator of Anora, made a record as the first individual to win four Oscars for a single film in one night, taking home awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. In his speech, he delivered tribute to the sex worker community, realising their influence on his work.
Baker stated that, “I share this with you,” expressing gratitude to those who contributed their stories and experiences. He also urged filmmakers to resume creating movies for the big screen, emphasizing the importance of the theatrical experience.
Twenty-five-year-old Mikey Madison’s win for Anora was one of the night’s biggest surprises, as Demi Moore had been favoured to win for The Substance following victories at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Madison called the moment “very surreal” and promised ongoing support for the sex worker community.
The Substance secured just one Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for Best Actor, 22 years after his first win for The Pianist. His performance in The Brutalist was widely praised, and he used his speech to highlight the challenges faced by actors, calling the profession “fragile.” Addressing discrimination and antisemitism, he expressed hope for a “healthier, happier, and more inclusive world.”
Brody’s film The Brutalist also won Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. Host Conan O’Brien made multiple jokes about Anora’s unexpected triumph, referencing the film’s political relevance. Conclave, a thriller about papal elections and thought Anora’s closest competitor, won just one award for Best Adapted Screenplay despite strong showings at the BAFTAs and SAG Awards.
No Other Land, a documentary about violence and displacement in the West Bank, won despite lacking U.S. distribution. Palestinian co-director Basel Adra and Israeli co-director Yuval Abraham used their acceptance speeches to call for peace and criticize U.S. foreign policy, with Abraham stating that, “My people can be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly free.”
The animated feature Flow beat out Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot, becoming the first Latvian film to win an Oscar. Director Gints Zilbalodis emphasized the need for unity, stating that, “We must overcome our differences to work together.”
Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, which received a record-breaking 13 nominations for a non-English language film, won two Oscars—Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song. Meanwhile, Brazilian drama I’m Still Here took home the award for Best International Feature, marking the country’s first win in the category.
Kieran Culkin continued his award-season success, winning Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. The film, made on a modest $3 million budget, further emphasised the dominance of smaller films at this year’s ceremony.
Meanwhile, Wicked won for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, with Paul Tazewell becoming the first Black winner in the category. Dune: Part Two took home Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. The night opened with a tribute to Los Angeles, featuring film clips and performances by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Later, Mick Jagger delivered Best Original Song, joking about Bob Dylan’s absence, while Morgan Freeman led an emotional tribute to the late Gene Hackman.
Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey also honoured Quincy Jones, with Goldberg stating that, “When we talk about Black excellence, we’re talking about Quincy.” With Anora ($6 million), A Real Pain ($3 million), and The Brutalist ($10 million) leading the pack, this year’s Oscars marked a shift toward smaller-budget films.
Major nominees that left empty-handed included A Complete Unknown, Sing Sing, The Apprentice, Nickel Boys, and Nosferatu. The evening concluded with a moment of thought, as O’Brien acknowledged the resilience of the entertainment industry following the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
Business and Industry Award: Read about the ‘Star of Sector’ award here.
