2025 Academy Awards: Historic Wins, Emotional Speeches, And Unforgettable Moments

The 2025 Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles delivered historical wins, emotional speeches, and unexpected triumphs. The Best Picture Oscar went to director Sean Baker’s Anora, a film that captivated audiences with its bold storytelling and humor. Baker, also winning Best Director, emphasized in his acceptance speech that the film’s victory was a testament to unconventional storytelling.

The night also saw The Brutalist take home three awards, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody. The film, a historical drama about a Hungarian architect navigating post-war America, also secured Best Cinematography and Best Production Design, solidifying its impact on this year’s awards season.

Other major winners included Flow, which became the first Latvian film to win Best Animated Feature, and I’m Still Here, a Brazilian drama that secured Best International Feature Film, marking Brazil’s first Oscar win in decades.

Key Wins and Memorable Moments 

• Best Picture: Anora

Sean Baker’s indie drama follows a Brooklyn stripper navigating a whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son. Its audacious humor and raw emotional depth won over both audiences and critics. Baker, known for The Florida Project and Red Rocket, called the win a victory for indie filmmakers.

• Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora) 

Baker’s human-centered approach to filmmaking and commitment to marginalized voices resonated deeply, making Anora one of the night’s biggest winners.

• Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

Brody’s performance as a visionary architect struggling in post-war America earned him his second Oscar over two decades after his first win for The Pianist.

• Best Actress: Mickey Madison (Anora)

This marked Madison’s first Oscar nomination and win. She delivered a heartfelt speech about breaking into Hollywood and the importance of telling unconventional stories.

• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Culkin’s performance in A Real Pain, a dramedy about estranged cousins, earned him his first Oscar. His speech was both emotional and humorous, with a shoutout to his manager, the director of the movie Jesse Eisenberg, and his wife.

• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emila Perez) 

Saldaña’s first Academy Award win was met with roaring applause. Her performance as a complex, morally torn character in Emilia Perez showcased her dramatic range.

• Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker (Anora) 

Baker’s script was praised for its biting wit and social commentary. He dedicated the award to sex workers whose stories inspired the film.

• Best Animated Feature Film: Flow

Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis won his country’s first Oscar with Flow, a visually stunning, dialogue-free animated film about survival and connection.

• Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil) 

This marks Brazil’s first Oscar win in the International Feature Film category in decades with the controversial film I’m Still Here—a gripping tale about a family torn apart by a military dictatorship.

James Bond Tribute and Social Media Reactions

The 97th Academy Awards were filled with highs and lows, but one moment that drew intense online debate was the seven-minute tribute to the James Bond franchise. Featuring performances by Lisa, Raye, Doechii, and Margaret Qualley, the segment was meant to celebrate Bond’s cultural impact. However, many on social media criticized it as unnecessary, especially as it took time away from a tribute to the late filmmaker David Lynch, which was notably shorter.

A Legacy of Storytelling

The 2025 Academy Awards reaffirmed that Hollywood is embracing bold storytelling and diverse voices. From the indie success of Anora to the international triumph of I’m Still Here, this year’s winners are shaping the future of cinema. As the industry evolves, these films prove that audiences are eager for stories that push boundaries, challenge norms, and leave a lasting impact.

Partial List of Academy Award Winners – 2025

• Best Picture: Anora
• Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Best Actress: Mickey Madison (Anora)
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Perez)
• Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
• Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
• Best Cinematography: The Brutalist – Lol Crawley
• Best Production Design: Wicked – Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales 
• Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker (Anora)
• Best Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land – Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham
• Best Original Score: The Brutalist – Daniel Blumberg 
• Best Film Editing: Anora – Sean Baker 
• Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two – Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer
• Best Music (Original Song): "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez – Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard 
• Best Sound: Dune: Part Two – Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill 

Also Read:

• Grammys 2025 And Winners: Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Doechii, And Chappell Roan
• The 57th Annual CMA Awards: Top Performers, Winners, and Highlights
• SAG Awards 2025: 'Conclave' And 'Shōgun' Dominate The Night