The 2025 Oscars ceremony was a memorable one, with standout moments that will go down in history. The powerful opening number, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from the acclaimed musical Wicked, set the tone for the night. Hosted by the witty Conan O’Brien, the evening was filled with laughter and excitement. However, what truly made the night special were the groundbreaking achievements that took place. From director Sean Baker’s remarkable sweep to costume designer Paul Tazewell’s notable win, the Academy Awards made history in more ways than one.
Sean Baker Makes History as First Director Since Walt Disney to Win Four Oscars
Sean Baker, the director of the film Anora, made history by winning four Oscars in one night. This achievement had not been seen since Walt Disney accomplished the same feat in 1954. Baker took home awards for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. In his acceptance speech for editing, Baker humorously acknowledged his multiple roles in the film, joking about saving the project in the editing room. His win in the Film Editing category also marked a first for a director as a solo editor.
Paul Tazewell Becomes First Black Man to Win Costume Design Oscar
Paul Tazewell, the talented costume designer behind Wicked, created history by becoming the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. In his emotional acceptance speech, Tazewell expressed gratitude for the significant honor and pride in his achievement. Reflecting on his journey as a designer, Tazewell highlighted the lack of representation of Black male designers in the industry and described the moment as a realization of his own potential.
Brazil’s First Oscar for International Film Goes to ‘I’m Still Here’
Director Walter Salles celebrated a significant victory as his film ‘I’m Still Here’ became the first Brazilian entry to win the Academy Award for Best International Film. The movie, starring Fernanda Torres, tells the inspiring true story of a woman navigating life during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Salles dedicated the award to the resilience of the women in the film and honored their strength in the face of adversity.
Zoe Saldaña Makes History as First American of Dominican Origin to Win an Oscar
Zoe Saldaña, known for her role in Emilia Pérez, made history by becoming the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Saldaña paid tribute to her immigrant roots and acknowledged the importance of representation in the industry. She expressed hope that her win would pave the way for future generations of diverse talent in Hollywood.
Upon winning the Oscar for her role in “Flow,” Saldaña shared that the main challenge she faced in reaching this milestone was overcoming her own self-doubt and insecurities. She emphasized the significance of tuning into your inner voice and having faith in it, recognizing the uniqueness and value you bring to any endeavor. Reflecting on the win, she expressed, “You know that your involvement will create something truly extraordinary; all you need to do is heed that inner calling.”
Gints Zilbalodis, the director of “Flow,” celebrated Latvia’s first-ever Oscar triumph as the film clinched the prestigious award for Best Animated Feature Film. This remarkable animated tale of a cat’s extraordinary quest for survival captured hearts worldwide, triumphing over big-budget studio productions like Disney’s “Inside Out 2” and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.” Zilbalodis, who utilized the open-source computer graphics software Blender to craft this dialogue-free masterpiece, viewed the absence of words as an opportunity to convey profound emotions and ideas through music, sound, movement, and editing, illustrating that silence can speak volumes.
Meanwhile, Adrien Brody secured his second Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of fictional Hungarian immigrant architect László Tóth in “The Brutalist,” cementing his status as a seasoned winner in the esteemed category. Remarkably, Brody achieved back-to-back wins from his only two nominations, a feat unparalleled in Oscar history. His initial triumph came in 2003 for his poignant performance as a Holocaust survivor in “The Pianist,” establishing him as the youngest Best Actor Oscar recipient at just 29 years old. Paying tribute to his Hungarian immigrant grandparents backstage, Brody acknowledged their resilience and sacrifices, acknowledging that their hardships paved the way for his success and offering them a heartfelt tribute through his work.
