‘Anora’ dominates the 2025 Academy Awards. Sean Baker takes home four Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editor.
Best Picture
“Anora” (Alex Coco, Samantha Quan and Sean Baker, Producers)The film won five out of six nominations. Sean Baker tied Walt Disney’s record for most Oscars in one night, as Disney won four in 1954.
“Anora” was shot on a budget of $6 million.
(Alex Coco, Samantha Quan and Sean Baker, producers)
Best Directing
Sean Baker for “Anora.” His third win of the night.Best Actor in a Leading Role
Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist”Brody is now two for two, winning both times he was nominated. He previously won for “The Pianist” n 2002. In his acceptance speech, he said, “It is a chance to begin again. And the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough so that in the next 20 years of my life hopefully, I can prove that I am worthy of such meaningful and relevant and important roles.”
He began performing as a child, doing magic shows as the “Amazing Adrien.”
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Mikey Madison in “Anora”
Her first nomination and win. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true.”
This is the second time she’s appeared in a movie nominated for Best Picture, as she had a role in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Kieran Culkin in “A Real Pain”Culkin won on his first nomination. During his acceptance speech he said his wife, Jazz Charton, promised to give him four children if he won an Oscar. He’s the brother of Macaulay Culkin of “Home Alone” fame.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Zoe Saldaña in “Emilia Pérez”Saldana is best known for her roles as Neytiri in “Avatar” and Lt. Uhura in “Star Trek.”
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“Conclave” (Screenplay by Peter Straughan)The story of the election of a new pope is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Straughn had been previously nominated for “Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy.”
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
“Anora” (Written by Sean Baker)This was Baker’s first Oscar win of the night. In his acceptance speech, he told the actors, “You elevated everything I wrote.”
Best Animated Feature Film
“Flow” (Gints Zilbalodis, Matiss Kaza, Ron Dyens and Gregory Zalcman)The film is the story of a cat whose home is destroyed, and it ends up sharing a boat with many different creatures.
Best Animated Short Film
“In the Shadow of the Cypress” (Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi)Best Cinematography
“The Brutalist” (Lol Crawley)Best Costume Design
“Wicked” (Paul Tazewell)Tazewell was previously nominated for “West Side Story.” This is his first win. He also won a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway show “Hamilton.”
Best Film Editing
“Anora” (Sean Baker)This was Baker’s second win of the night. He received four nominations for “Anora.”
“If you saw that footage, I saved that film. That director should never work again.” (He was also the director.)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“The Substance” (Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli)Best Live-Action Short Film
“I’m Not a Robot” (Victoria Warmerdam and Trent)Best Music (Original Score)
“The Brutalist” (Daniel Blumberg)“Best Music” (Original Song)
“El Mal” from Emilia Pérez (Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; Lyric by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard)Best Documentary Feature Film
“No Other Land” (Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham)Best Documentary Short Film
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra” (Molly O’Brien and Lisa Remington)Best International Feature Film
“I’m Still Here” (Brazil)Best Production Design
“Wicked” (Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales)It’s a first win for Crowley on his seventh nomination while Sandales won on his third nomination.
Best Sound
“Dune: Part Two” (Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett, and Doug Hemphill)Best Visual Effects
“Dune: Part Two” (Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer)What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]
