Context:

• The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars 2025, was held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
• It is one of the most prestigious film award ceremonies, honoring the best films and artists of the year.

Main Winners:

• Best Picture: Anora
• Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
• Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Other Major Awards:

• Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
• Best Original Score: The Brutalist
• Best Production Design: Wicked
• Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell (Wicked) – First African-American to win in this category
• Best Sound & Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
• Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
• Best Animated Feature: Flow

Notable Events:

• Host: This year’s ceremony was hosted by renowned comedian and host Conan O’Brien.
• Hindi Address: Conan O’Brien greeted Indian audiences in Hindi, saying, "Namaste to the people of India. It’s morning there, so I hope you’re watching the Oscars with your breakfast."
• India’s Performance:
  • Short Film ‘Anuja’: The short film Anuja, co-produced by Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga, was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, but the award was won by the Dutch film I’m Not a Robot.
  • Other Indian Nominations: A total of 8 Indian films were nominated, but unfortunately, none won an award.

Historic Moments:

• Anora won five awards, including Best Picture, making it the most awarded film of the night.
• Sean Baker became the first independent filmmaker to win Best Director.
• Mikey Madison became the youngest actress to win Best Actress.
• I’m Still Here became the first documentary film to win Best International Feature Film.

About the Oscars:

• The Academy Awards (Oscars) are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
• Winners receive a gold-plated Britannium trophy, officially known as the Academy Award of Merit, but commonly referred to as the Oscar.
• First Oscar Ceremony: May 16, 1929, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.
•  First Best Picture Winner: Wings (1927), a silent film.
• The Oscars feature 24 major categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Song, and Best Documentary.
• The Oscar trophy is 34.3 cm tall and weighs 3.8 kg.
• Designed by: Cedric Gibbons
• Sculpted by: George Stanley

Oscars Won by India Till Date:

•  Bhanu Athaiya (1982): Best Costume Design for Gandhi.
•  Satyajit Ray (1992): Honorary Award for his outstanding contribution to cinema.
•  Resul Pookutty (2009): Best Sound Mixing for Slumdog Millionaire.
•  Gulzar (2009): Best Original Song (Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire).
• A.R. Rahman (2009): Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire).
•  Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga (2023): Best Documentary Short Film for The Elephant Whisperers.
• Naatu Naatu (2023): Best Original Song (RRR).