Oscar Night 2025: A Race Full of Surprises and Historic Moments

The 2025 Academy Awards, held in Hollywood and broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, presented a night full of suspense and historic moments as there was no clear front-runner for the coveted Best Picture award. An eclectic mix of films such as "Anora," "The Brutalist," and "Conclave" were in the tight race, indicating a highly competitive year in cinema.

Hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, the ceremony not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also paid special tributes to the city of Los Angeles, which is still recovering from recent wildfires. O’Brien, known for his witty and insightful humor, also lightly touched upon U.S. politics while focusing more on celebrating the art of filmmaking and the resilience of the Hollywood community.

"Anora," a poignant tale of a sex worker who dreams of a better life, stood out by winning Best Picture. The film’s director, Sean Baker, also bagged awards for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, making it a monumental night for the team behind "Anora."

The acting categories were just as thrilling with several first-time nominees. Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody fiercely competed for Best Actor, with Brody clinching the award for his role in "The Brutalist." In the Best Actress category, speculation around a potential upset by Fernanda Torres was put to rest as Demi Moore won for her stellar performance in "The Substance."

Supporting roles were recognized with Zoe Saldana winning Best Supporting Actress for her phenomenal role in "Emilia Perez," which navigated controversy due to its initial favorite status being marred by a cast member's scandal. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for "A Real Pain," a film that explores family and heritage.

In a tribute to musical talents, the night withheld live performances of the nominated songs to focus on the songwriters themselves, though it promised and delivered several other musical highlights. A standout performance by the cast of "Wicked" and a heartfelt homage to the late music producer Quincy Jones captured audience’s emotions.

The producers of the Oscars also embraced surprise elements, which kept the audience intrigued throughout the evening. These unexpected moments and the diversity of cinematic excellence showcased, solidified the Oscars as a celebration of global storytelling and talent.

The event concluded with the film industry looking forward to maintaining its central role in global cinema, as Hollywood continues to adapt and celebrate the art form in all its glory, despite not one of the top films being shot in Los Angeles.