The 94th Academy Awards have aired and the winners are in. The ceremony was hosted by the triple threat of Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall which made for a night of laughs, some scandal, and appreciation for cinema. A large slate of spectacular films from 2021 was nominated and there was some close competition, especially in the acting categories.
Here are the winners of the 94th Academy Awards:
Supporting Actress – Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
The ceremony began with industry newcomer Ariana DeBose who delivered a tearful thank you to her cast and crew mates, director Steven Spielberg, and her family. She has also won SAG, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards for her role in the film. She closed out her speech reflecting on her identity as a queer Afro-Latina woman who found her purpose in life through art.
Sound – Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill, Ron Bartlett, Dune
Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa, stars of Dune, announced the previously revealed award for sound, which Dune took away. The film was rife with theater-shaking, a science-fiction-esque sound design that was an essential part of the experience.
Cinematography – Greig Fraser, Dune
Greig Fraser began his speech by thanking Denis Villeneuve, director of the film. Fraser is known for his stunning visuals and has worked on some of the biggest films of the last few years including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Lion, and the recently released The Batman. He will continue to work with Villeneuve for the sequel film, Dune: Part Two, releasing in 2023.
Documentary Short – Ben Proudfoot, The Queen of Basketball
The documentary short, co-produced by Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry, follows Lusia Harris, one of the most significant female basketball players in history. Proudfoot remarked on the clear interest in and importance of telling stories about powerful women.
Visual Effects – Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer, Dune
Dune took another win for visual effects; well deserved for the film’s beautiful aesthetic and the sheer scale of its spaceships and sandworms. The group also took the chance to thank Denis Villeneuve for his inspiring direction.
Animated Feature Film – Encanto
The filmmakers thanked everybody for the support of their film, but also for the opportunity to tell a diverse story about people who don’t often get to be seen on the silver screen. The ceremony not only announced Encanto as the Animated Feature Film winner, but also featured the first live performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, performed by the cast.
Animated Short Film – The Windshield Wiper
The Windshield Wiper tells the tale of a man lost in existential thought while sitting in a coffee shop and explores deep and meaningful themes. Filmmakers Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez came to the stage to thank the Academy and fans for their support.
Supporting Actor – Troy Kotsur, CODA
Troy Kotsur, the second ever deaf actor to win an Academy Award, delivered an emotional speech thanking his family and CODA director Sian Heder for her deep understanding of him and the deaf community. His CODA co-star Marlee Matlin is the only other deaf actor to win an Oscar, which she won in 1987 for Children of a Lesser God.
International Feature Film – Drive My Car
Tiffany Haddish and Simu Liu presented the award for International Feature Film which was awarded to the Japanese film Drive My Car, directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. He was also nominated for Best Director and the film for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.
Live Action Short Film – The Long Goodbye
The Long Goodbye took the win for live action short film, it follows an immigrant family in Britain whose wedding ceremony is interrupted by right-wing protestors. Filmmakers Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed took the stage to say “there is no us and them, there is just us.”
Costume Design – Jenny Beavan, Cruella
Appropriately dressed in a Cruella-inspired suit, Jenny Beavan came to the stage to accept the award for costume design for Cruella. The film starred Emma Stone in the titular role and featured an impressive display of costume design, especially because of its fashion-centered plot.
Original Screenplay – Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Kenneth Branagh accepted the award for Belfast and said the film represents “the search for joy in the face of loss”, mentioning the losses of several cast and crew members. He went on to thank everyone for the appreciation and love they gave to the city of Belfast.
Adapted Screenplay – Sian Heder, CODA
In addition to Troy Kotsur’s CODA win for supporting actor, writer and director Sian Heder won the Oscar for adapted screenplay for CODA, adapted from 2014 French Film La Famille Belier.
Original Score – Hans Zimmer, Dune
Hans Zimmer wins the Oscar for Original Score for an ethereal and revolutionary score to the sci-fi epic, Dune. This is his second Academy Award, the other being for The Lion King.
Editing – Joe Walker, Dune
Joe Walker took the stage to accept the Oscar for film editing, one of six Oscars awarded to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.
Documentary Feature – Summer of Soul (or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein took the stage to accept the award for their combined work on the documentary feature, Summer of Soul.
Production Design – Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipos, Dune
Although the award was announced before the ceremony, Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos were still able to come to the stage to say their thank you’s for their Academy Award win. Dune’s production design was especially futuristic and established a particular aesthetic for the visionary and revolutionary film.
Original Song – Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, No Time to Die
The brother-sister pair won their first Oscar for their original song ‘No Time to Die’ which they wrote for the final installment in the Craig Bond franchise film of the same name.
Director – Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Jane Campion wins her first Oscar win for her directing work on The Power of the Dog, one of the most popular films this award season. She has been nominated for directing in the past and won for adapted screenplay, but this award makes her the third woman to win for directing.
Lead Actor – Will Smith, King Richard
Will Smith delivered an emotional speech reflecting on his work on King Richard and the more awkward events of the night, saying “love will make you do crazy things.” He went on to thank the Williams family for the opportunity to tell their story.
Makeup & Hairstyling – Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram, Justin Raleigh, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram, and Justin Raleigh came to the stage briefly for another pre-show announced award to accept their Oscar for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. They thanked Jessica Chastain in particular for her unwavering support.
Lead Actress – Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Jessica Chastain took to the stage to make a beautiful speech thanking her cast and crew mates, especially her scene partner, Andrew Garfield. She went on to talk about suicide prevention and to tell all listening to stay strong and that they are unconditionally loved. This is Jessica’s third Oscar.
Best Picture – CODA
The cast and crew of CODA took the stage to accept the film’s third Academy Award of the night for Best Picture. This is a landmark moment for a film depicting the real lives of deaf adults and their children to win such a significant award.
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