'No Other Land' filmmaker says 'together our voices are stronger'
Yuval Abraham, one of the filmmakers behind "No Other Land," called for the "end to the destruction of Gaza" and the return of the Israeli hostages who were "brutally taken in the crime of Oct. 7."
"We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger," he said.
The documentary is about the Israeli government’s displacement of Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank. It never secured a distribution partner in the United States and it screened at indie cinemas in selected cities, and digital screeners were made available for academy voters.
'The Only Girl in the Orchestra' wins best documentary short
"The Only Girl in the Orchestra" is about the recently retired Orin O'Brien, a double bassist who became the New York Philharmonic's first female musician when Leonard Bernstein hired her in 1966.
As O'Brien likes to say, "music helps us organize our emotions, and there are a lot of emotions that need organizing these days," director Molly O'Brien, who helmed the all-female team for Netflix, said in accepting the award.
Documentary feature film winner
“No Other Land”
'El Mal' a song 'to denounce corruption,' songwriters say
Camille and Clément Ducol and their co-writer, the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, said the song "El Mal" was made "to denounce corruption."
"We hope it speaks through to the role music and art can play and continue to play as a force of the good and progress in the world," Camille said.
"Emilia Pérez" is also nominated for best original score.
Documentary short film winner
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Original song winner
“El Mal,” from “Emilia Pérez.” Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; lyric by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard.
Zoe Saldaña is the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar
In a rousing acceptance speech, Zoe Saldaña gave a shoutout to her family, including her mother and grandmother.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961," she said. "I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity."
She said she is the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and added "I know I will not be the last."
She said she was thrilled by "the fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish,” adding, “My grandmother, if she were here, she’d be so delighted.”
Production design winner
“Wicked”
Actress in a supporting role winner
Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
'Anora' win for best editing bodes well for film's best picture chances
The film that wins for editing doesn't always nab best picture — though for the last two years, that's exactly what happened. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Oppenheimer," the two most recent best picture winners, earned editing awards at the Oscars in 2023 and 2024.
That's all to say that "Anora" looks very well positioned for best picture right now.