The prestigious Oscars are set to dazzle film aficionados as the 2025 ceremony approaches, bringing together stars, fans, and fashionistas to celebrate the art of cinema. The spotlight shines on the Spanish-language musical **Emilia Pérez**, which leads the nominations with an impressive 13 nods. However, controversy has marred its chances as past offensive tweets of its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, have resurfaced. Other strong contenders for the coveted Best Picture include **Wicked**, **The Brutalist**, **Conclave**, and **Anora**.
US comedian Conan O'Brien will host the event from Los Angeles, scheduled to commence at *16:00 (PT), 19:00 (ET), and midnight (GMT)*. The awards night comes against a backdrop of devastating wildfires in LA that left many homes destroyed—a circumstance that will inevitably influence the evening’s tone as celebrities prepare to showcase their glamorous side amidst stark realities.
### Major Films and Their Contenders
**Emilia Pérez**, a tale centered on a Mexican drug lord's gender transformation, boasts nominations in pivotal categories including Best Actress for Gascón and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña. Gascón’s nod is particularly historic, marking her as the first trans actress nominated in an acting category. Meanwhile, the high-profile competition comes from **The Brutalist**, starring Adrien Brody and other notable films like **Wicked** with Cynthia Erivo and **Conclave**, featuring Ralph Fiennes.
Surprises could loom in the Best Actor race, where Brody is a frontrunner but faces fierce competition from Timothée Chalamet, fresh off a SAG win for his role as Bob Dylan in **A Complete Unknown**. The Best Actress category remains neck-and-neck, particularly after a major upset at the Baftas where **Anora**'s Mikey Madison took home the award instead of presumed favorite Moore.
### Progress on Diversity and Gender Representation
This year marks a continuation of the movement sparked by the hashtag **#OscarsSoWhite**, with several nominees of color in top categories. April Reign, founder of the movement, emphasizes that while there has been progress, the industry still has much work ahead in achieving representation across gender and racial lines. Coralie Fargeat stands alone as the sole female nominee for Best Director for **The Substance**, a field that still reflects a significant gender disparity.
### Special Guests and Emotional Tones
Stars such as last year's award winners—including Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone, and Cillian Murphy—are set to grace the event, showcasing emotions alongside their glamorous attire. Gascón's attendance, despite the surrounding controversy, adds yet another layer of intrigue to the red carpet.
The ceremony will acknowledge the devastating wildfires that affected many families in LA. Lynette Howell Taylor, an LA producer and Academy board member who lost her home, indicates that the event will incorporate moments of recognition and support for those impacted while still aiming to highlight the year’s cinematic achievements.
### Performances and Broadcast Information
**Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande** will perform a medley from **Wicked**, while other artists like Doja Cat and Queen Latifah are also featured. The Oscars will air live on Sunday, March 3, 2025, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu and worldwide across 200 territories.
In summary, while the Oscars 2025 aims to celebrate the best in film, it does so while contending with the realities of social issues and environmental crises—all meant to be thoughtfully woven into the evening's proceedings.
US comedian Conan O'Brien will host the event from Los Angeles, scheduled to commence at *16:00 (PT), 19:00 (ET), and midnight (GMT)*. The awards night comes against a backdrop of devastating wildfires in LA that left many homes destroyed—a circumstance that will inevitably influence the evening’s tone as celebrities prepare to showcase their glamorous side amidst stark realities.
### Major Films and Their Contenders
**Emilia Pérez**, a tale centered on a Mexican drug lord's gender transformation, boasts nominations in pivotal categories including Best Actress for Gascón and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña. Gascón’s nod is particularly historic, marking her as the first trans actress nominated in an acting category. Meanwhile, the high-profile competition comes from **The Brutalist**, starring Adrien Brody and other notable films like **Wicked** with Cynthia Erivo and **Conclave**, featuring Ralph Fiennes.
Surprises could loom in the Best Actor race, where Brody is a frontrunner but faces fierce competition from Timothée Chalamet, fresh off a SAG win for his role as Bob Dylan in **A Complete Unknown**. The Best Actress category remains neck-and-neck, particularly after a major upset at the Baftas where **Anora**'s Mikey Madison took home the award instead of presumed favorite Moore.
### Progress on Diversity and Gender Representation
This year marks a continuation of the movement sparked by the hashtag **#OscarsSoWhite**, with several nominees of color in top categories. April Reign, founder of the movement, emphasizes that while there has been progress, the industry still has much work ahead in achieving representation across gender and racial lines. Coralie Fargeat stands alone as the sole female nominee for Best Director for **The Substance**, a field that still reflects a significant gender disparity.
### Special Guests and Emotional Tones
Stars such as last year's award winners—including Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone, and Cillian Murphy—are set to grace the event, showcasing emotions alongside their glamorous attire. Gascón's attendance, despite the surrounding controversy, adds yet another layer of intrigue to the red carpet.
The ceremony will acknowledge the devastating wildfires that affected many families in LA. Lynette Howell Taylor, an LA producer and Academy board member who lost her home, indicates that the event will incorporate moments of recognition and support for those impacted while still aiming to highlight the year’s cinematic achievements.
### Performances and Broadcast Information
**Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande** will perform a medley from **Wicked**, while other artists like Doja Cat and Queen Latifah are also featured. The Oscars will air live on Sunday, March 3, 2025, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu and worldwide across 200 territories.
In summary, while the Oscars 2025 aims to celebrate the best in film, it does so while contending with the realities of social issues and environmental crises—all meant to be thoughtfully woven into the evening's proceedings.
