Much different from last year, the 94th Academy Awards was not virtual this year. And while the last three years saw the Oscars without a host, this year’s was hosted by comedians Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and actress Regina Hall.

Apple TV film and deaf family drama CODA won the Best Picture Oscar, beating movies Belfast and The Power of the Dog. Being an independent film about the only hearing child of a deaf family, the audience applauded in sign language as the film received the main award. The movie is also the first streaming movie to win the award.

Presenter and comedian Chris Rock, during his sequence on stage, poked a joke at actress Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, comparing it to Demi Moore’s character in the movie GI Jane. The joke was met with silence from the audience, following which Will Smith, Jada’s husband, walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock on the face. Jada has been open about suffering from the condition of Alopecia since 2018.

Will Smith later apologised on stage, to the Academy and fellow nominees, during his emotional acceptance speech for best actor. The star held the first Oscar of his career for his role in King Richard, playing the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.

"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things” said Will Smith.
Jessica Chastain bagged the Best Actress award for The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

Jane Campion became the third woman to win an Oscar for Best Director, for the movie The Power of the Dog, a psychological thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress for West Side Story, while Troy Kotsur bagged the Best Supporting Actor for Coda, which also picked up Best Adapted Screenplay. Kotsur is the second deaf actor to win an Oscar Award. He dedicated his award to the deaf, disabled and the CODA community.

Sci-fi movie Dune bagged a whopping six awards in total including technical categories including Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography.

Sir Kenneth Branagh won his first Oscar for the autobiographical Belfast

The ceremony also celebrated 50 years of Francis Ford Coppola’s - The Godfather, which got a special mention at the 94th Academy Awards.