The 97th Academy Awards showcased a diverse array of winners in its first half, with films like “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Wicked,” and “The Substance” taking home prestigious awards. Notable wins included Peter Straughan for best adapted screenplay for “Conclave” and Sean Baker for best original screenplay for “Anora.” Baker's heartfelt acknowledgment of the sex worker community resonated with the audience.
Kieran Culkin's win for best supporting actor and the unexpected victory of Latvian film “Flow” in the best animated feature category added excitement to the evening. The star-studded event kicked off with a moving tribute by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to Los Angeles, followed by a captivating performance of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.”
