The 98th Academy Awards celebrated a night of major cinematic achievements, with wins across acting, writing, animation and technical categories. From Ryan Coogler’s screenplay triumph for Sinners to Sean Penn’s supporting actor win for One Battle After Another, the ceremony also honoured animated hit KPop Demon Hunters and visual spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash among the night’s big winners. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Original ScreenplayRyan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, praised for its powerful storytelling and layered characters. Coogler delivered an emotional and powerful speech as it marked a major milestone in his career. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Adapted ScreenplayPaul Thomas Anderson won Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another. The film’s screenplay stood out for its intricate narrative, sharp dialogue, and masterful adaptation that captivated both audiences and critics. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Supporting ActorSean Penn secured Best Supporting Actor for his performance in One Battle After Another. His intense and nuanced portrayal earned widespread acclaim, adding another prestigious Oscar to the veteran actor’s celebrated career. Best Live Action Short FilmIn a rare tie, The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva jointly won Best Live Action Short Film. The unexpected result marked one of the most surprising and memorable moments of the Oscars ceremony. Best CastingCassandra Kulukundis created history by becoming the first to receive the Best Casting for One Battle After Another at the Academy Awards. Her thoughtful ensemble selection brought together a compelling cast whose performances elevated the film’s dramatic impact and storytelling authenticity. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Makeup and HairstylingFrankenstein won Best Makeup and Hairstyling for its impressive transformation work and gothic aesthetic. The team’s detailed craftsmanship helped bring the film’s haunting characters vividly to life on screen. Best Costume DesignKate Hawley won Best Costume Design for Frankenstein. Her elaborate designs perfectly captured the film’s dark, gothic tone while adding authenticity and visual richness to the story’s haunting world. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Supporting ActressAmy Madigan earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons. Her powerful performance brought emotional weight and complexity to the film, impressing both critics and Academy voters. Photo Credit: Reuters Best Animated Feature FilmKPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature Film, continuing its remarkable awards run. The film blended vibrant animation with music and fantasy, telling the story of K-pop stars secretly battling supernatural threats. Best Animated Short FilmThe Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Animated Short Film for its poignant storytelling and striking visual style. The short captivated audiences with its emotional narrative and beautifully crafted animation. Best Production DesignTamara Deverell and Shane Vieau won Best Production Design for their exceptional set decoration work. Their detailed visual world-building enhanced the film’s atmosphere, demonstrating outstanding creativity and craftsmanship. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Visual EffectsAvatar: Fire and Ash won Best Visual Effects, showcasing groundbreaking CGI and immersive world-building. Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett received the award. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best PictureOne Battle After Another won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards, emerging as the biggest winner of the night. The film was widely praised for its ambitious storytelling, performances and scale. Best ActorMichael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his powerful performance in Sinners. His intense and emotionally layered portrayal impressed critics and audiences, marking a major milestone in the actor’s career. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best ActressJessie Buckley secured the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Hamnet. Her deeply emotional portrayal earned widespread acclaim and recognition from the Academy and audiences worldwide. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best DirectorPaul Thomas Anderson won Best Director for One Battle After Another. His masterful direction and distinctive filmmaking style played a major role in the film’s critical success and multiple Oscar wins. [Photo Credit: Reuters] Best Original SongGolden from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song, making history as the first K-pop song to win an Oscar. The track became a global hit and a defining moment for the genre. Best International Feature FilmSentimental Value won Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. The movie impressed the Academy with its heartfelt storytelling, emotional depth and strong cinematic craftsmanship. Best CinematographySinners won Best Cinematography for its striking visual storytelling. The film’s atmospheric lighting and carefully crafted frames created a visually immersive experience that stood out during awards season. Best Film EditingOne Battle After Another won Best Film Editing for its precise pacing and seamless narrative structure. The editing played a crucial role in maintaining the film’s tension and clarity. Best SoundF1 won the Oscar for Best Sound thanks to its dynamic and immersive audio design. The roaring engines and racing sequences created a thrilling soundscape that elevated the cinematic experience. Best Music (Original Score)Sinners won Best Original Score for its powerful and emotionally resonant music. The film’s score helped enhance dramatic moments and strengthened the overall impact of the story. Best Documentary Feature FilmMr. Nobody Against Putin won Best Documentary Feature Film. The documentary received praise for its bold narrative and its powerful exploration of political resistance and individual courage. Best Documentary Short FilmAll the Empty Rooms won Best Documentary Short Film at the ceremony. The short documentary moved audiences with its intimate storytelling and thoughtful portrayal of human experiences.