The biggest night in Hollywood is almost here! The 97th Academy Awards are set to bring the usual mix of Hollywood glitz, and unforgettable moments as the film industry’s finest gather at the Dolby Theatre in LA.
From dazzling red carpet looks to emotional acceptance speeches, the Oscars remain the ultimate celebration of cinematic excellence. For filmmakers and content creators, the Academy Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the stories, performances, and artists we love.
What to expect from Oscars 2025
This year’s ceremony promises plenty of excitement, with Conan O’Brien making his Oscars hosting debut. The famed comedian will bring his lighthearted touch (and high energy) to the four-hour event. Once again, it’s a fiercely competitive race across all major categories filled with surprises and snubs in equal measure.
Since 2002, the Dolby Theatre has been home to the Oscars, offering state-of-the-art sound and projection technology. The grand stage and iconic red carpet have become synonymous with Hollywood’s biggest night.
Whether you’re rooting for an indie gem or blockbuster hit, all eyes will be on the stars, stories, and surprises that make it an unmissable event. This year’s Oscars will celebrate diverse storytelling and groundbreaking cinema, reflecting the industry’s evolving landscape.
Who’s going to win?
While the official winners have yet to be revealed, let’s look at some highlights, surprises, and snubs in this year’s nominations.
Major highlights
Some of the year’s biggest films have dominated the nominations, promising an intense race for the top awards. Jacques Audiard’s musical thriller Emilia Pérez leads the way with 13 nominations; The Brutalist and Wicked are tied in second place with 10 apiece.
Bob Dylan’s biopic, A Complete Unknown, and tense thriller Conclave also share third place with 8 nominations each. It’s another year of firsts, with Demi Moore receiving her first nomination. Walter Salles’ Still Here became the first Portuguese-language film nominated for Best Picture, and a horror movie is also in the running for the first time since Get Out (2017).
Surprises
Every year brings unexpected nominations, and 2025 is no exception. Demi Moore garnered her first-ever Oscar nomination for her phenomenal performance in The Substance.
Coralie Fargeat’s striking body horror has walked away with 5 nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Make-up. It’s a landmark moment for horror, as The Substance is only the seventh (broadly speaking) horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture.
Edward Norton garnered his first Best Supporting Actor nomination since Birdman (2014) for his role in A Complete Unknown. Norton faces stiff competition in this category with the surprise nomination (his first) for Guy Pearce’s enigmatic performance in The Brutalist. After missing out on Best Actor last year for Rustin, Colman Domingo is up again for his powerful performance in Sing, Sing.
Snubs
It wouldn’t be the Oscars without a list of those deserving of a coveted spot but didn’t make it. However, some major contenders were noticeably absent from the nominations, sparking debate among fans and critics.
Nicole Kidman’s dynamic performance in Baby Girl (2024), Daniel Craig’s bold portrayal in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer (2024), and Selena Gomez’s compelling supporting role in Emilia Perz were unfortunately overlooked.
Perhaps the biggest acting snub was Denzel Washington’s role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II (2024). Taking on a rare villainous character in the long-awaited sequel, Washington was widely expected to be on that Best Supporting Actor’s list. Unlike the first Gladiator, which had 12 nominations and 5 wins, the sequel only garnered 1 nomination (Best Achievement in Costume Design).
Meanwhile, the unexpected snubs continued behind the camera. Denis Villeneuve’s stunning Dune Part 2 collected 6 nominations, but once again, Villeneuve missed out on Best Director. Robert Eggers’s haunting adaptation of Nosferatu was also overlooked for the big prizes but did pick up 4 nominations.
The Oscars 2025 video creator tool kit
Take inspiration from Oscars season and bring the magic of Hollywood’s biggest night to your own projects. Motion Array has everything you need —- from dazzling templates to cinematic effects — to capture the glamour and excitement of the Oscars,
Annual Awards Titles Template
The Annual Awards Template is a sleek After Effects template for award ceremonies and competitions. With 6 customizable text placeholders, smooth animations, and a color controller, it’s perfect for creating elegant, professional videos. Use it for your own awards, or repurpose it for a fun, glamorous title sequence.
13 Cinema Elements Vector Illustrations
The 13 Cinema Elements Vector Illustrations bundle features flat cartoon-style designs, including a movie camera, popcorn, clapperboard, and more. Perfect for invitations, printed materials, or adding fun stickers to digital content, these illustrations bring a cinematic flair to any project.
Awards-themed stock footage
The Awards-Themed Stock Footage collection includes golden curtain motion graphics, fireworks, and red carpet scenes — everything you need to create an awards ceremony sequence or add to a narrative film. This footage is perfect for adding a touch of glamour and celebration to your project, highlighting a special moment, or enhancing the overall visual style.
Check out the full collection now
Top royalty-free music from Motion Array
Award Ceremony And Triumphant Anthem
Award Ceremony and Triumphant Anthem by StudioKolomna is an epic track perfect for award presentations and promotional videos. Its bold percussion and brass create a triumphant atmosphere, adding emotional depth to key moments. This powerful composition highlights standout achievements and creates a grand, celebratory feel.
Royals and Heroes
Royals and Heroes by Beastaudio features a bold orchestral arrangement with brass, violins, and epic drums. This celebratory score captures the grandeur of award moments and heroic achievements, adding a dramatic flair to any project. Its uplifting tone makes it perfect for setting a victorious, awe-inspiring atmosphere.
All For The Glory
A dynamic orchestral composition, All For The Glory by Puremusic combines powerful brass, soaring strings, and energizing percussion. Perfect for ceremonies, high-profile events, and grand openings, its triumphant tone is filled with achievement and celebration, bringing an inspiring atmosphere to any project.
New Golden Statue
New Golden Statue offers a regal fanfare with majestic strings, timpani, and brass. This triumphant composition is ideal for prestigious events and dramatic introductions, evoking grandeur and excitement. Its bold, uplifting tones make it the perfect choice for moments of recognition and celebration.
The Award Ceremony
A grand orchestral fanfare, The Award Ceremony by BeastAudio blends bold brass, soaring violins, and percussion. Ideal for award shows, broadcasts, or any project needing a powerful, uplifting soundtrack, it adds a majestic touch to moments of achievement.
Get ready for an unforgettable night
As the 97th Academy Awards approach, excitement is building for another unforgettable night celebrating Hollywood at its finest. With a star-studded roster of nominees, surprises, and snubs, this year is sure to be filled with moments of triumph and emotion.
Whether you’re watching from home or creating your own Oscars-inspired content, the awards season offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible talent and storytelling that continue to shape the film industry. With resources like Motion Array’s video creator tools and royalty-free music, you can infuse your projects with the same glamour and prestige that define Hollywood’s biggest night.
