This Sunday night, March 2, marks the 97th edition of the Oscars, one of the most anticipated events in global cinema. Starting at 9 p.m. Brasília time, the ceremony promises to captivate Brazilian audiences, who are closely following the unprecedented three nominations for “I’m Still Here.” Directed by Walter Salles, the film is competing for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Actress, with Fernanda Torres in the running for the latter. The order of category announcements has already sparked curiosity, especially since Best Actress is slated to be the second-to-last award revealed, while Best International Feature Film will come after the midway point. Hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, this year’s event could be a historic moment for Brazilian cinema.
Organized annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars celebrate the finest achievements in the previous year’s film industry. This time, Brazil steps into the spotlight with a groundbreaking milestone: for the first time in nearly a century of Oscar history, a Brazilian production, “I’m Still Here,” has secured a nomination for Best Picture, the night’s most prestigious category. Expectations are soaring as the film also vies for Best International Feature Film—a category where Brazil has been nominated five times before without a win—and Fernanda Torres faces off against strong contenders like Demi Moore of “The Substance” and Mikey Madison of “Anora” in a highly competitive Best Actress race.
Adding to the excitement, the French musical “Emilia Pérez” leads with 13 nominations and could dominate the evening, while “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” follow with 10 nods each, setting the stage for a fierce competition across multiple categories. The ceremony will be broadcast live by TV Globo, giving Brazilian viewers a front-row seat to every moment. With voting concluded on February 18, the winners are already sealed, but the envelopes will only be opened during the event, keeping the suspense alive until the end.
Brazilian hopes on Oscar night
A historic milestone for national cinema
Securing a Best Picture nomination for a Brazilian film is a feat the country has never achieved in the Oscars’ long history. “I’m Still Here” shattered that barrier by earning its spot among the finalists, thrusting Brazil into the international spotlight. Directed by Walter Salles, the film adapts Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s book and follows Eunice Paiva’s transformation—portrayed by Fernanda Torres—into a human rights activist after her husband, former congressman Rubens Paiva, was murdered during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The movie’s impact is evident in its domestic success, drawing over 5 million viewers and grossing R$ 100 million, as well as its international reach, with a release across 700 screens in the United States.
Beyond its Best Picture nod, the film also competes in Best International Feature Film, a category where Brazil has previously fallen short with entries like “The Mission” (1963), “O Quatrilho” (1996), “Central Station” (1999), and “City of God” (2004). Appearing in three categories underscores the production’s significance, especially considering its modest budget compared to rivals like “Wicked,” costing less than 1% of the American blockbuster’s price tag. The blend of a compelling narrative and standout performances boosts Brazil’s chances of finally bringing home an Oscar statuette.
Category order heightens the tension
The evening’s schedule promises a rollercoaster of emotions for Brazilian fans. Best International Feature Film is expected to be announced after the ceremony’s halfway mark, while Best Actress will be the penultimate award, followed only by Best Picture, the grand finale. This lineup keeps Brazilian viewers on edge throughout much of the broadcast, with potential celebrations spread across key moments. Fernanda Torres, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Film in January, enters as a strong contender, though the battle with Demi Moore and Mikey Madison is set to go down to the wire.
Ceremony details and key contenders
How the category order works
Set by the Academy, the sequence of announcements follows a mix of tradition and strategy to sustain audience interest. This year, the night kicks off with technical and supporting categories like Best Supporting Actor and Best Animated Feature, progressing to heavier hitters in the second half. Here’s the likely order of winner reveals:
- Supporting Actor
- Animated Feature
- Animated Short
- Costume Design
- Original Screenplay
- Adapted Screenplay
- Makeup and Hairstyling
- Editing
- Visual Effects
- Supporting Actress
- Production Design
- Original Song
- Documentary Short
- Documentary Feature
- International Feature Film
- Live Action Short
- Original Score
- Actor
- Director
- Actress
- Picture
This structure ensures that the most anticipated awards, like Best Actress and Best Picture, build suspense until the final moments, keeping global viewers hooked.
Tight race in Best Actress
Fernanda Torres faces stiff competition in the Best Actress category. Demi Moore, starring in “The Substance,” brings a robust campaign bolstered by a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, plus nominations at the SAG Awards and Critics Choice. Mikey Madison shines in “Anora,” a film that clinched the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the BAFTA, solidifying her standing. Other contenders include Karla Sofía Gascón of “Emilia Pérez,” the first trans actress nominated for an Oscar, and Cynthia Erivo of “Wicked,” who could become the youngest EGOT winner if victorious. The range of talent and stories makes this race anyone’s game.
Fernanda’s strength lies in the emotional depth of her performance and the historical weight of “I’m Still Here.” Her Golden Globe upset over Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman signals growing support among Academy voters. Though she missed out on SAG and BAFTA nods, her inclusion in the Oscar shortlist reflects the resonance of Eunice Paiva’s story, particularly with the Academy’s more progressive members.
International highlights of the night
While Brazil dreams of its first wins, other films are poised to steal the show. “Emilia Pérez” tops the list with 13 nominations—a record for a non-English-language film—going head-to-head with “I’m Still Here” in all three of its categories. “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, and “Conclave,” with Ralph Fiennes, arrive with 10 and 8 nods, respectively, emerging as Best Picture frontrunners. “Wicked,” another heavyweight with 10 nominations, is expected to excel in technical and musical categories, while “Anora” holds strong after wins at the Directors Guild and Producers Guild.
What to expect from Oscar 2025
Award night timeline breakdown
Track the key moments of the evening with this basic event guide:
- 9:00 p.m.: Ceremony begins with Conan O’Brien’s opening.
- 9:15 p.m.: Early technical awards, like Supporting Actor and Animated Feature.
- 10:30 p.m.: Best International Feature Film announcement, featuring “I’m Still Here.”
- 11:45 p.m.: Penultimate category, Best Actress, with Fernanda Torres in contention.
- 12:00 a.m.: Finale with Best Picture, potentially a historic win for Brazil.
Exact timing may shift due to musical performances and speeches, but TV Globo’s live broadcast will keep Brazilian audiences in sync.
Potential surprises and final bets
Analysts call this one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in decades. With no clear Best Picture favorite, the door is open for surprises, and “I’m Still Here” is seen as a dark horse capable of swaying voters in the final stretch. Fernanda Torres’s Golden Globe win and the freshness of her story could tip the scales, while “Emilia Pérez” faces backlash over its controversial approach. “Anora” and “Conclave” remain safe bets, bolstered by the Academy’s preferential voting system.
Among actors, Adrien Brody of “The Brutalist” leads Best Actor predictions after sweeping the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and BAFTA, though Timothée Chalamet of “A Complete Unknown” could pull an upset. In supporting roles, Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) are frontrunners. The night promises to be a long, twist-filled affair, with Brazil at the heart of the action.
This Sunday night, March 2, marks the 97th edition of the Oscars, one of the most anticipated events in global cinema. Starting at 9 p.m. Brasília time, the ceremony promises to captivate Brazilian audiences, who are closely following the unprecedented three nominations for “I’m Still Here.” Directed by Walter Salles, the film is competing for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Actress, with Fernanda Torres in the running for the latter. The order of category announcements has already sparked curiosity, especially since Best Actress is slated to be the second-to-last award revealed, while Best International Feature Film will come after the midway point. Hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, this year’s event could be a historic moment for Brazilian cinema.
Organized annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars celebrate the finest achievements in the previous year’s film industry. This time, Brazil steps into the spotlight with a groundbreaking milestone: for the first time in nearly a century of Oscar history, a Brazilian production, “I’m Still Here,” has secured a nomination for Best Picture, the night’s most prestigious category. Expectations are soaring as the film also vies for Best International Feature Film—a category where Brazil has been nominated five times before without a win—and Fernanda Torres faces off against strong contenders like Demi Moore of “The Substance” and Mikey Madison of “Anora” in a highly competitive Best Actress race.
Adding to the excitement, the French musical “Emilia Pérez” leads with 13 nominations and could dominate the evening, while “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” follow with 10 nods each, setting the stage for a fierce competition across multiple categories. The ceremony will be broadcast live by TV Globo, giving Brazilian viewers a front-row seat to every moment. With voting concluded on February 18, the winners are already sealed, but the envelopes will only be opened during the event, keeping the suspense alive until the end.
Brazilian hopes on Oscar night
A historic milestone for national cinema
Securing a Best Picture nomination for a Brazilian film is a feat the country has never achieved in the Oscars’ long history. “I’m Still Here” shattered that barrier by earning its spot among the finalists, thrusting Brazil into the international spotlight. Directed by Walter Salles, the film adapts Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s book and follows Eunice Paiva’s transformation—portrayed by Fernanda Torres—into a human rights activist after her husband, former congressman Rubens Paiva, was murdered during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The movie’s impact is evident in its domestic success, drawing over 5 million viewers and grossing R$ 100 million, as well as its international reach, with a release across 700 screens in the United States.
Beyond its Best Picture nod, the film also competes in Best International Feature Film, a category where Brazil has previously fallen short with entries like “The Mission” (1963), “O Quatrilho” (1996), “Central Station” (1999), and “City of God” (2004). Appearing in three categories underscores the production’s significance, especially considering its modest budget compared to rivals like “Wicked,” costing less than 1% of the American blockbuster’s price tag. The blend of a compelling narrative and standout performances boosts Brazil’s chances of finally bringing home an Oscar statuette.
Category order heightens the tension
The evening’s schedule promises a rollercoaster of emotions for Brazilian fans. Best International Feature Film is expected to be announced after the ceremony’s halfway mark, while Best Actress will be the penultimate award, followed only by Best Picture, the grand finale. This lineup keeps Brazilian viewers on edge throughout much of the broadcast, with potential celebrations spread across key moments. Fernanda Torres, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Film in January, enters as a strong contender, though the battle with Demi Moore and Mikey Madison is set to go down to the wire.
Ceremony details and key contenders
How the category order works
Set by the Academy, the sequence of announcements follows a mix of tradition and strategy to sustain audience interest. This year, the night kicks off with technical and supporting categories like Best Supporting Actor and Best Animated Feature, progressing to heavier hitters in the second half. Here’s the likely order of winner reveals:
- Supporting Actor
- Animated Feature
- Animated Short
- Costume Design
- Original Screenplay
- Adapted Screenplay
- Makeup and Hairstyling
- Editing
- Visual Effects
- Supporting Actress
- Production Design
- Original Song
- Documentary Short
- Documentary Feature
- International Feature Film
- Live Action Short
- Original Score
- Actor
- Director
- Actress
- Picture
This structure ensures that the most anticipated awards, like Best Actress and Best Picture, build suspense until the final moments, keeping global viewers hooked.
Tight race in Best Actress
Fernanda Torres faces stiff competition in the Best Actress category. Demi Moore, starring in “The Substance,” brings a robust campaign bolstered by a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, plus nominations at the SAG Awards and Critics Choice. Mikey Madison shines in “Anora,” a film that clinched the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the BAFTA, solidifying her standing. Other contenders include Karla Sofía Gascón of “Emilia Pérez,” the first trans actress nominated for an Oscar, and Cynthia Erivo of “Wicked,” who could become the youngest EGOT winner if victorious. The range of talent and stories makes this race anyone’s game.
Fernanda’s strength lies in the emotional depth of her performance and the historical weight of “I’m Still Here.” Her Golden Globe upset over Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman signals growing support among Academy voters. Though she missed out on SAG and BAFTA nods, her inclusion in the Oscar shortlist reflects the resonance of Eunice Paiva’s story, particularly with the Academy’s more progressive members.
International highlights of the night
While Brazil dreams of its first wins, other films are poised to steal the show. “Emilia Pérez” tops the list with 13 nominations—a record for a non-English-language film—going head-to-head with “I’m Still Here” in all three of its categories. “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, and “Conclave,” with Ralph Fiennes, arrive with 10 and 8 nods, respectively, emerging as Best Picture frontrunners. “Wicked,” another heavyweight with 10 nominations, is expected to excel in technical and musical categories, while “Anora” holds strong after wins at the Directors Guild and Producers Guild.
What to expect from Oscar 2025
Award night timeline breakdown
Track the key moments of the evening with this basic event guide:
- 9:00 p.m.: Ceremony begins with Conan O’Brien’s opening.
- 9:15 p.m.: Early technical awards, like Supporting Actor and Animated Feature.
- 10:30 p.m.: Best International Feature Film announcement, featuring “I’m Still Here.”
- 11:45 p.m.: Penultimate category, Best Actress, with Fernanda Torres in contention.
- 12:00 a.m.: Finale with Best Picture, potentially a historic win for Brazil.
Exact timing may shift due to musical performances and speeches, but TV Globo’s live broadcast will keep Brazilian audiences in sync.
Potential surprises and final bets
Analysts call this one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in decades. With no clear Best Picture favorite, the door is open for surprises, and “I’m Still Here” is seen as a dark horse capable of swaying voters in the final stretch. Fernanda Torres’s Golden Globe win and the freshness of her story could tip the scales, while “Emilia Pérez” faces backlash over its controversial approach. “Anora” and “Conclave” remain safe bets, bolstered by the Academy’s preferential voting system.
Among actors, Adrien Brody of “The Brutalist” leads Best Actor predictions after sweeping the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and BAFTA, though Timothée Chalamet of “A Complete Unknown” could pull an upset. In supporting roles, Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) are frontrunners. The night promises to be a long, twist-filled affair, with Brazil at the heart of the action.
