The documentary 20 days in Mariupol, directed by Mstislav Chernov, earned the Oscar for Best Feature Documentary. The ceremony, which honors outstanding achievements in film, took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 10. The film’s win marks a significant recognition of on-the-ground reporting from a city deeply affected by conflict, highlighting the courage of journalists who documented life under siege for a full 20 days. The film’s team from the Associated Press, including director Mstislav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko, brought the city’s story to a global audience by pairing rigorous journalism with powerful visual storytelling. This victory is celebrated as a milestone in documentary filmmaking that foregrounds frontline reporting under extreme pressure, offering viewers a humanized, unflinching account of events as they unfolded in Mariupol.
In another corner of the ceremony’s spotlight, Hayao Miyazaki’s feature-length film The Boy and the Bird was recognized, underscoring a moment of cross-cultural achievement in animated storytelling. The moment underscored the Academy’s broad appreciation for different genres and styles within cinema, from front-line documentaries to animated features that resonate with audiences across generations. The Best Animated Feature category showcased how animation can convey complex emotions and stories that linger long after the credits roll. This edition of the Oscars also highlighted actor Robert Downey Jr., who accepted the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Oppenheimer, a film that explored themes of science, ethics, and historical memory through a dramatic, character-driven lens.
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony was held on the night of March 11 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by comedian and television host Jimmy Kimmel, who steered the evening with his distinctive style, balancing humor with reverence for the achievements being honored. The ceremony’s tone reflected both celebration and reflection, as the film industry looked back on a year of diverse storytelling and remarkable performances. The presentations brought attention to a wide range of talents—from documentary filmmakers capturing real-world crises to performers shaping iconic characters on screen. These moments contributed to a broader conversation about the power of cinema to document, question, and illuminate the human experience.