See who has won so far in the awards with Fernanda Torres and Still Here in the running

The night of this Sunday, March 2, is being marked by intense emotions at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the 97th Academy Awards celebrate the best of global cinema. With the ceremony still ongoing as of 11:05 PM (Brasília time), the first winners have already been announced, bringing surprises and historic moments to the film industry. Brazil, in particular, is closely following the categories in which “Still Here,” directed by Walter Salles, is competing, carrying hopes of an unprecedented achievement with its three nominations, including Best Actress for Fernanda Torres.

Broadcast live to numerous countries, the event kicked off at 9:00 PM and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, who opened the night with a humor-filled monologue, including a quip about the Brazilian film. The competition is fierce, with productions like “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora,” and “Wicked” among the evening’s highlights, but the spotlight also turns to names like Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña, who have already claimed statuettes.

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As the ceremony progresses, Brazilians remain hopeful for “Still Here,” which is nominated in the categories of Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Actress. Fernanda Torres’ appearance on the red carpet alongside Selton Mello and Walter Salles reinforces the expectation that Brazilian cinema could make history at this year’s Oscars.

First winners shake up the night

The awards presentation began with categories that have already set the tone for the evening, surprising both audiences and critics. Kieran Culkin was announced as the winner of Best Supporting Actor for his role in “A,” driving the crowd wild with an emotional acceptance speech. The actor, known for standout performances, solidified his status as a favorite after a strong awards season campaign that included wins at events like the Golden Globes.

Another standout was Zoe Saldaña, who took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Emilia Pérez.” The actress’ win, portraying a powerful role in Jacques Audiard’s film, strengthens the production’s momentum, which entered the night with 13 nominations. The animation category also has its champion: “Flow” won Best Animated Feature, beating out heavy contenders like “The Wild Robot.”

Brazilian hopes at the Dolby Theatre

Brazil arrived at the Oscars with a significant presence this year, and “Still Here” is the center of attention. The film, which tells the moving story of Eunice Paiva during the Brazilian military dictatorship, received a nine-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, signaling its international impact. Fernanda Torres, nominated for Best Actress, faces tough competition from Mikey Madison, Demi Moore, and Karla Sofía Gascón, but her Golden Globe win in January has heightened expectations.

Directed by Walter Salles, the film is vying for three high-profile awards. In addition to Best Actress, it’s competing for Best International Feature Film against “Emilia Pérez” and for Best Picture, a key category yet to be decided as of now. The film’s team, present at the Dolby Theatre, expressed optimism in red carpet interviews, emphasizing the story’s relevance and their pride in representing Brazilian cinema.

Early highlights of the awards

With the ceremony still underway, some patterns are emerging among the winners announced so far. The strength of supporting performances was underscored by the victories of Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña, both praised for scene-stealing roles in their films. Meanwhile, the Best Animated Feature category went to “Flow,” an indie production that gained recognition for its sensitive storytelling and innovative visuals.

So far, the night has also featured lighthearted and engaging moments, such as Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue, which drew laughs with a jab at the runtime of “Still Here” and viewers’ patience. The presence of major stars on stage, as presenters and award deliverers, keeps the event’s pace brisk, while a global audience follows each announcement with enthusiasm.

Categories settled and unexpected twists

Several technical and specific categories have already revealed their winners by 11:05 PM, striking a balance between predicted outcomes and upsets. “El mal,” from “Emilia Pérez,” won Best Original Song, highlighting the musical strength of the production leading in nominations. The win was celebrated with a live performance that moved the audience before the announcement.

In animation, “Flow” outshone “The Wild Robot,” which was seen as a strong contender due to its critical and commercial success. The Academy’s choice of a less mainstream work reflects a trend of valuing originality, which could favor films like “Still Here” in the major categories. Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actor was dominated by Kieran Culkin, whose win was widely anticipated after an impeccable awards season run.

Real-time ceremony timeline

The Oscar organizers don’t release the exact order of award presentations in advance, but the traditional sequence offers some clues. So far, the ceremony has followed a rhythm that prioritizes supporting and technical categories early on, saving the bigger awards, like Best Picture and Best Actress, for later. Here’s what has happened and what’s still ahead:

• 9:00 PM: Ceremony begins with Conan O’Brien’s monologue.
• 9:39 PM: Best Supporting Actor announced (Kieran Culkin).
• 9:43 PM: Best Original Song (“El mal” from “Emilia Pérez”).
• 10:15 PM: Best Animated Feature (“Flow”).
• 10:30 PM: Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña).
• 11:05 PM: Awards continue, with major categories still pending.

The expectation is that the most anticipated announcements, such as Best Actress and Best Picture, will occur after 11:30 PM, keeping the tension alive until the final moments of the night.

Stars shine on the red carpet

Even before the ceremony began, the red carpet was a stage for memorable moments that warmed up the crowd for the evening. Fernanda Torres turned heads in an elegant gown and received a Pikachu pin from influencer Gabriela Araújo, a gesture that went viral among Brazilian fans. Selton Mello, also part of the “Still Here” cast, sported a classic look and shared his excitement in a social media video.

Other notable figures, like Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin, walked with confidence, seemingly sensing the recognition they’d receive shortly after. The presence of around 20 members of the “Still Here” team at the event underscores Brazil’s high stakes for a historic night, while the 32°C heat in Los Angeles added a festive vibe to the red carpet, with locals even paying homage to the Oscar statuette.

Films in contention heat up the race

This year’s list of nominees reflects the diversity of global cinema, spanning from grand musicals to intimate dramas. “Emilia Pérez” leads with 13 nominations but faces criticism and controversies surrounding its star, Karla Sofía Gascón. “Wicked” and “The Brutalist,” both with 10 nods, are also among the favorites, while “Anora,” a strong contender for Best Picture, holds steady with critical acclaim.

“Still Here” emerges as an emotional and political bet, carrying the memory of Brazil’s dictatorship in a narrative that has already captivated international festivals. With a modest budget compared to its rivals, the film stands out as the most accessible among the Best Picture nominees, potentially appealing to Academy voters drawn to authentic human stories.

Major categories still up for grabs

As the awards progress, the most anticipated categories remain undecided, keeping suspense high for viewers and nominees alike. Fernanda Torres is vying for Best Actress against Mikey Madison, Demi Moore, and Karla Sofía Gascón, in one of the night’s tightest races. Her Golden Globe win and acclaim for “Still Here” position her as a strong contender, though the competition promises an unpredictable outcome.

In the Best International Feature Film race, the Brazilian film faces “Emilia Pérez,” which has already secured awards like Best Original Song but carries controversies that might split votes. Meanwhile, the Best Picture category, featuring “Anora,” “Wicked,” and “Still Here” among the nominees, is poised to cap the night with an announcement that could either crown a favorite or defy expectations.