Oscars 2025 recap: Biggest moments from the 97th Academy Awards

During his best director acceptance speech, Sean Baker thanked the academy and spoke about the importance of supporting movie theaters.

He urged people to visit independently owned movie theaters, pointing to the screens lost during the pandemic.

"Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater," he said. "Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, scream in fright together, perhaps sit in devastated silence together, and in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever. It's a communal experience you simply don't get at home. And right now, the theatergoing experience is under threat. Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters, are struggling, and it's up to us to support them."

Baker called the moviegoing experience "a vital part of our culture."

He then vowed that he will continue making films for the big screen and urged parents to introduce their kids to feature films in the movie theater.

"Parents, introduce your children to feature films in movie theaters, and you'll be molding the next generation of movie lovers and filmmakers," he added. "And for all of us, when we can, please watch movies in the theater and let's keep the great tradition of the moviegoing experience alive and well."

He ended his speech by thanking his mom, whose birthday is also today.

Sean Baker won the Oscar for best director for "Anora.”

Other nominees in the category included Brady Corbet for "The Brutalist," James Mangold for "A Complete Unknown," Jacques Audiard for "Emilia Pérez" and Coralie Fargeat for "The Substance."

During his best actor acceptance speech, Adrien Brody thanked his team, the cast of "The Brutalist," his family and more.

"Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous -- and at certain moments, it is. But the one thing that I've gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective, and no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you've accomplished, it can all go away," he said.

He said the award signified "a destination," calling it "a chance to begin again and the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough so that the next 20 years of my life, that I can prove that I am worthy of such meaningful and important and relevant roles."

He concluded by speaking about the film's message.

"I'm here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and of othering, and I believe that -- I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it's a reminder to not let hate go unchecked," he said.

Adrien Brody won the Oscar for best actor for his performance in "The Brutalist."

The award was presented by last year's best actor winner, "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy.

Other nominees in the best actor race included Timothée Chalamet for "A Complete Unknown," Colman Domingo for "Sing Sing," Ralph Fiennes for "Conclave" and Sebastian Stan for "The Apprentice."