Celebrating artistic achievements in cinema, the 97th Academy Awards will present a spectacular evening marked by thrilling performances and heartfelt recognitions. This year's ceremony, hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien, is scheduled to air live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 3, 2025. Highlights include the standout film Emilia Pérez, which leads with a remarkable 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, a history-making nomination as the first trans performer nominated in this category.
However, Emilia Pérez faces a turbulent backdrop after past contentious tweets from Gascón resurfaced. Close in the nominations count are The Brutalist and Wicked, both with 10 each, showcasing incredible talent such as Demi Moore in The Substance, who is also nominated for the first time in her career.
As the nominees prepare for their red carpet appearances, the ceremony will also reflect on the devastating wildfires that affected Los Angeles, with planned acknowledgments of the city's hardships. Performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are set to energize the night, celebrating their roles in the film adaptation of Wicked.
In terms of categories, Best Actor sees fierce competition between frontrunners Adrien Brody for The Brutalist and Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown. Additional nominations indicate a step toward diversity, with actors of color represented in leading categories, though updates on female representation notably highlight the need for progress.
In the UK, the ceremony will broadcast on ITV and ITVX, expanding the audience for this hallmark event in Hollywood. As artists and fans eagerly anticipate the major wins and surprises this Oscars offers, the film industry gears up to celebrate cinematic artistry against a richly complex cultural backdrop.
