Los Angeles: The glittering ceremony of the 98th Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, unfolded at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating the finest achievements in global cinema. Hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, the evening highlighted the unifying power of films across cultures and nations, while honouring actors, directors, technicians and storytellers whose work defined the past year in cinema.

One of the biggest winners of the night was the ambitious thriller One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which emerged as the most successful film of the evening with six major awards. The film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and the newly introduced Best Casting award. Anderson, who had previously been nominated several times in the directing category, finally secured his long-awaited Oscar victory.

In the acting categories, American star Michael B. Jordan delivered one of the most celebrated performances of the year and took home the Best Actor award for his role in the supernatural thriller Sinners. The film required Jordan to portray twin brothers with strikingly different personalities, a challenge that critics praised for its complexity and emotional depth.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress Oscar for her powerful portrayal of Agnes in the historical drama Hamnet. The film explores the emotional turmoil of the family of playwright William Shakespeare following the death of their child. Buckley’s performance captured the grief and resilience of a mother with striking realism, earning widespread acclaim throughout the awards season.

The Oscar for Best Supporting Actor went to veteran performer Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another, while Amy Madigan secured the Best Supporting Actress award for her memorable performance in the drama Weapons.

Meanwhile, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, entered the Oscars with a record 16 nominations, the highest of any film this year. In addition to Jordan’s Best Actor win, the film also earned awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score, making it one of the night’s strongest contenders.

A historic moment came when cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners, becoming the first woman of colour to receive the honour in the Academy’s history.

The gothic adaptation Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, dominated several technical categories. The film won Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Hair and Makeup, showcasing the artistry behind its visually striking world.

In the animation category, the Korean blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, while its hit track Golden also captured the Best Original Song award, marking a historic milestone for K-pop music at the Oscars.

The award for Best International Feature Film went to the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. The film tells the story of a troubled artistic family whose unresolved tensions resurface as they reunite at their ancestral home.

In the documentary category, the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature was awarded to Mr Nobody Against Putin, a powerful film exploring propaganda and political control in modern-day Russia. Meanwhile, All the Empty Rooms won Best Documentary Short Film for its emotional portrayal of families affected by school shootings.

Another unusual moment occurred in the Best Live Action Short Film category, where the Academy declared a rare tie, awarding the prize jointly to The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva only the seventh tie in Oscar history.

The ceremony also introduced a brand-new category, Best Casting, recognizing the crucial role casting directors play in shaping cinematic storytelling. Casting director Cassandra Kulukundis became the first recipient of the award for her work on One Battle After Another.

Other notable winners included Avatar: Fire and Ash for Best Visual Effects and the racing drama F1, which won Best Sound after its innovative sound design captured the intensity of Formula One racing.

As the evening drew to a close, host Conan O’Brien ended the ceremony with a humorous closing sketch inspired by One Battle After Another, adding a light-hearted touch to the grand event.

With its blend of historic victories, emotional speeches and powerful storytelling, the 98th Academy Awards once again demonstrated how cinema continues to transcend borders, cultures and languages bringing audiences around the world together through the universal language of film.

“From heartfelt speeches to historic wins, the Oscar stage witnessed pure cinematic magic.”