‘Anora’ wins big at 97th Oscars
In addition to the film whose producers include Samantha Quan, other notable winners include "No Other Land," "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two"
Samantha Quan with Anora ensemble
Oscars
Words by Daniel Anderson
After weeks of uncertainty due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Hollywood’s biggest night finally arrived, and the 97th Academy Awards did not disappoint. The evening was filled with history-making wins, emotional speeches, and standout performances—especially for Asian filmmakers and artists, as well as other creatives of color.
Neon’s indie powerhouse Anora emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. Baker has become the first person to win four Oscars for one film in a single night. Walt Disney also won four Oscars in a single night, but for four different films. Additionally, this is Neon’s second Oscar award-winning film after Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite. Producer Samantha Quan, in an emotional speech, reflected on the film’s unexpected journey:
"I don't know how this can be real life. This is really an incredible, impossible journey for the past 10 months and honestly I'd like to thank my mom, my dad, and my sister JoJo, our small and mighty crew and our ridiculously talented cast led by the amazing Mikey Madison. We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts. To all of the dreamers and young filmmakers: tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you, you will never regret it.”
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked took home two awards, winning Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. The latter win was particularly groundbreaking, as Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win in the category. Before his victory was announced, Wicked cast member Bowen Yang lightened the mood with a comedic bit, appearing in an elaborate outfit from the film alongside fellow category nominees, all decked out in their most extravagant formalwear.
The Israeli-Palestinian documentary No Other Land took home Best Documentary, marking one of the evening’s most politically charged moments. As they accepted their award, directors Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor used their platform to call for an end to violence in Gaza. “We made this film, Palestinian and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger, we see each other. The atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people must end. The Israeli hostages brutally taken in the crime of Oct. 7 must be freed,” Abraham said. Despite its Oscar win, No Other Land still does not have a U.S. distributor at the time of writing.
Iranian filmmakers Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani won Best Animated Short for In the Shadow of the Cypress. The duo only received their visas hours before the ceremony, making it to Los Angeles just in time to attend. Their film, which had faced funding setbacks after losing government support in Iran, emerged as a triumph against the odds.
Dune: Part Two took home technical category wins for Best Sound and Best Visual effects.
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Academy Award, earning Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Perez. In a deeply personal and tearful speech, she paid tribute to her immigrant parents. "I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands."
Meanwhile, Emilia Perez did not win for Best International Feature. That honor went to I’m Still Here, making it Brazil’s first-ever Oscar.
The animated feature Flow brought home Latvia’s first-ever Oscar win, an achievement that didn’t go unnoticed by host Conan O’Brien. Ever the comedian, he quipped, “Your move, Estonia.”
In a touching moment, the Oscars paid tribute to the firefighters who battled the devastating wildfires that delayed the ceremony. The audience gave them a standing ovation before a few of the firefighters read jokes off the teleprompter. L.A. Fire Department captain Erik Scott opened with the jab, “Well, our hearts go out to all of those who have lost their homes. And I’m talking about the producers of Joker 2.”
Music played a major role in the night’s entertainment, with the ceremony paying tribute to James Bond’s legendary musical legacy. Among the highlights was BLACKPINK’s Lisa, who made history as the first K-pop idol to perform at the Oscars. She delivered a powerful rendition of “Live and Let Die,” joining Doja Cat and Raye, who performed “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Skyfall,” respectively.
See the full list of winners here.
Published on March 3, 2025
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.