The Winners Who Stole the Show at the 97th Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, is one of Hollywood’s most prestigious award shows. Hosted at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on March 2, this year marked the Academy’s 97th Oscars. The ceremony celebrated the greatest in the global film industry — recognizing the stars, the crew, and the hands behind the scenes that created last year’s special movie magic. 

The red carpet dazzled with global star power with appearances from singer-actress BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Korean singer-actor Rowoon, and XO, Kitty (2023) siblings Gia Kim and Sang Heon Lee. Their attendance highlighted the growing influence of API artists and actors in Hollywood as they turned heads with their charisma and fashion.

This year’s host was popular comedian Conan O’Brien, with additional performances sprinkled throughout the ceremony from artists and actresses alike. Opening up the night with a stunning performance of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked (2024), co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were among the star-studded lineup. With live performances from artists like Doja Cat, LISA, and RAYE, this year’s Oscars truly defied expectations and delivered a spectacular showcase.

Anora: Best Picture, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Film Editing, Best Directing, Best Actress in a Leading Role

Nominated for six categories and winning five, independent film Anora (2024) was the star of the show. Taking home a collection of Oscars, Anora is now director Sean Baker’s most highly-awarded film. Despite odds stacked against it as an independent film with a small budget and an even smaller crew, the Anora crew persevered. Through the film, they told the tale of Anora — a sex worker in New York that stumbles into a marriage with a rich Russian man.

In the acceptance speech, co-producer Alex Coco underscored the importance of independent films. Competing against several blockbusters, Anora is proof of the power of independent storytellers, Coco proclaimed. With co-producer Samantha Quan also on stage, she passionately told all the aspiring dreamers and filmmakers “[to] tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you.” In an equally passionate closing, Quan promised that following your heart to tell stories would never end in regret.

No Other Land: Best Documentary Feature Film

One of the night’s most powerful moments was Palestinian director Basel Adra and Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham calling for a political solution to the ongoing war in Gaza. In their speeches, they called for an end to the occupation of Palestine and urged Hamas to release all Israeli hostages as they accepted the award. “We call on the world to take serious action to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people,” said Adra.

Their poignant documentary feature that highlighted the destruction of Palestinians through the simple lens of a camcorder. Adra’s efforts to end the demolition throughout the film were largely ignored until he teamed up with Abraham, who helped amplify his story. Through their collaboration, they shot over 4 years of footage, capturing the harsh realities of displacement and the stark inequality between the two men.

I’m Still Here: Best International Feature Film

Winning their first Oscar in the International Film category for Brazil is I’m Still Here (2024), a drama period film. Set in the early 1970s of Brazilian dictatorship, the film features Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva, whose family is shattered when her husband — former Brazilian congressman Rubens Paiva — is taken from their home and never returns. Director Walter Salles dedicated the award to both Torres and Fernanda Montenegro, who plays an older Eunice, for bringing the resilient character’s story to life in the face of an authoritarian regime.

Flow: Best Animated Feature

Winning Best Animated Feature, Flow (2024), otherwise known as Straume in Latvian, has made history as the first Oscar Latvia has won. Despite big names in the category like high-grossing films Inside Out 2 (2024) and The Wild Robot (2024), Flow surged above the competition as an adventure-filled indie feature. Hoping to inspire fellow independent animation filmmakers with Flow’s accomplishment, co-director Gints Zilbalodis held his Oscar with pride. He stood on stage as a trailblazer to Latvia’s animation industry, changing the tide towards aspiring indie animators and filmmakers.

Set in a world with humans, and in turn, no dialogue, the protagonist cat is forced to move on when a flood hits its home. Encountering fellow animals amidst tumultuous waters, the cat is forced to adapt and go with the flow. Emphasizing the theme of learning and living with others, Zilbalodis’ quick but heartfelt speech sent a clear message: as people “in the same boat, everyone must learn to overcome differences and find ways to work together.”

In the Shadow of the Cypress: Best Animated Short

Taking six years to complete due to financial struggles from sanctions and government restrictions, Iranian filmmakers Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi were finally given flowers for their short film, In the Shadow of the Cypress (2023). The animated short follows a former captain struggling with his PTSD as he lives an isolated life with his daughter. The film explores the emotional toll for war veterans in Iran and the impact trauma can have on their families as well.

Wicked: Best Costume Design, Best Production Design

From the pretty pinks of Glinda’s wardrobe to the glorious greens of Emerald City’s residents, Wicked (2024) won its first Oscar of the night for Best Costume Design. With a heavy hand in Elphaba and Glinda’s costumes, Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win an Oscar in Best Costume Design. His costume design process brought Wicked’s popular duo to life by mixing in the magic ingredients of spirit, personality, and character. From mushroom-filled inspiration to detailed sketches, Tazewell’s input and influence made the film that much more glamorous. 

With nine million tulips and multi-ton sets, Wicked’s worldbuilding was built with immersiveness in mind — to live, breathe, and experience Oz. Embracing practical sets over digital, the film’s production and set design was built on an extraordinary scale. Winning Wicked’s second Oscar, production designers Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales took home the Oscar for Best Production Design. With a joy that radiated from their acceptance speech, Sandales thanked director Jon M. Chu for “taking them over the rainbow.”

Dune Part Two: Best Visual Effects, Best Sound

The blockbuster sequel Dune: Part Two (2024) scored two victories out of its five nominations with Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. This follows the success of their predecessor film, Dune: Part One (2021), which had also won the Best Visual Effects at the Oscars in 2021. The space opera film continued the story of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as he waged war against House Harkonnen alongside the Fremen of Arrakis. The efforts of the VFX and sound team thoroughly captivated audiences worldwide, with the film earning $714 million at the box office.

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