Oscars Celebrate Cinema at 97th Academy Awards
The ceremony honored the city of Los Angeles after wildfires and aimed to promote community and spirit, with a charitable component included to help fire victims, and featured a range of winners, including "Anora," "Wicked," and "The Brutalist," with "Anora" winning the award for Best Picture and Sean Baker winning the award for Best Director.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best in film for the year 2024, with "Anora" leading the night with multiple wins, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker.
The ceremony, hosted by Conan O'Brien, featured a range of notable winners, including Mikey Madison, who won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Anora," and Adrien Brody, who won his second Oscar for his lead role in "The Brutalist." The film "Wicked" also had a successful night, winning awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
The ceremony included a tribute to the late Gene Hackman, who was remembered for his contributions to cinema, as well as a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who sang a medley of songs from "The Wizard of Oz" and "Wicked." The James Bond tribute featured a medley of songs from the franchise, with performers including Doja Cat, Lisa, and Raye.
The documentary "No Other Land" won the award for Best Documentary Feature Film, with the filmmakers using their acceptance speeches to highlight the effects of Israel's military campaigns in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The ceremony also featured a tribute to the firefighters who battled the Los Angeles wildfires, with Conan O'Brien bringing out a group of firefighters from Los Angeles and thanking them for their service.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony was a celebration of the best in film for the year 2024, with many notable winners and memorable performances, and will be remembered as a special night in the world of cinema.
