The cream of Hollywood descended on the iconic Dolby Theatre on Sunday night to celebrate the 94th Annual Academy Awards
The ceremony began with last year’s Best Supporting Actor winner Daniel Kaluuya and H.E.R presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress to Ariana DeBose for West Side Story, making it her first Oscar nomination – and the second Anita to win one.
“Even in this weird world that we live in, dreams do come true,” the Afro-Latina actress said emotionally.
“To anyone who’s ever questioned your identity… there is indeed a place for us.”
The win comes after a controversial snub from the Oscars for DeBose’s co-star Rachel Zegler, who did not initially receive an invite to the ceremony, despite West Side Story being nominated for seven awards.
She appeared at the show to co-present the award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects alongside Jacob Elordi.
“I never thought I would be here six days ago... dreams really can come true, and pretty fast too,” she quipped.
Following West Side Story’s win, the team behind Dune went onto scoop the award for Best Achievement in Sound, before Dune’s Greg Fraser won Best Cinematography and the film’s VFX team won Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
The Queen of Basketball also scooped the award for Best Documentary Short Subject, while The Windshield Wiper won the award for Best Animated Short Film.
Japan’s Drive My Car also won Best International Feature Film.
The other big film of 2021, Encanto, also proved a winner on the night, scooping the award for Best Animated Feature Film after a moving performance of Dos Oruguitas, or Two Little Caterpillars, one of the film’s breakout songs.
American actor Troy Kotsur also won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in deaf-language film CODA, making him the only the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, after co-star Marlee Martin won the first.
Following that, Jenny Beavan won Best Achievement in Costume Design for her work on Disney film Cruella.
Kenneth Branagh won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay with film Belfast, while Siân Heder won Best Adapted Screenplay for her work on CODA.
Ahmir also won the award for Best Documentary Feature for Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).
For all the James Bond fans, Billie Eilish and brother Finneas walked away with the Oscar for Best Original Song for Bond theme No Time to Die.
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In the last flurry of awards, Jane Campion won Best Director for film The Power of the Dog, while Will Smith scooped the award for Best Lead Actor for his role in King Richard.
Jessica Chastain brought home the award for Best Lead Actress for The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
“I love you guys so much and to be included in the conversation with you is such an honour,” she said, paying tribute to fellow nominees Olivia Colman, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart.
Finally, CODA scooped the ultimate award, winning Best Picture and making history into the bargain.