This morning was a very happy one for many new Oscar nominees. Demi Moore, Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, and Fernanda Torres were just a few of the first-time acting nominees. Brady Corbet and James Mangold spent over five years trying to get their individual Best Picture and Best Director-nominated works to the screen. Here’s a rundown of their official reactions to earning 2025 Academy Award nominations.
READ MORE: “Emilia Perez,” “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” dominate 2025 Oscars nominations
“To be back again at the Oscar nominations table is truly meaningful to me, especially for the work that “Sing Sing” represents. Work which truly hopes to shine bright loving light into dark places by using art. I am so thrilled for our company which also received nominations for adapted screenplay and original song. All of that work is so tender and hopeful just like our film. I couldn’t be prouder as an actor or producer. “
Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing,” Best Actor
“I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to the Academy for this incredible recognition. This moment is truly a dream come true, and I owe it to the extraordinary cast and the dedicated crew who poured their hearts and talents into this project. A special thank you to our visionary director and true friend, Brady, whose guidance, creativity, and belief in this film made it all possible. To my family of nominees—Felicity, Judy, Mona, Adrien, Daniel, Lol, and Guy—your talent and artistry continue to inspire me every day. And to Ilka, whose unwavering support and collaboration have meant everything—thank you from the bottom of my heart.This recognition is a celebration of the collective passion and talent that brought this project to life, and I am overjoyed to share it with everyone who made it a reality!”
David Jancso, “The Brutalist,” Editing
“Wow, what amazing news to receive as I waited for my bags at Melbourne airport! I’m so humbled by this Oscar nomination and truly grateful to be sharing it with so many of our brilliant ‘Brutalist’ collaborators! All I’ve tried to do over the past 40 years is hone a craft and I thank all those who’ve helped me do so along the way. I’m eternally grateful for the lessons and equally grateful to the Academy for this recognition. Thank you, thank you!”
Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist,” Supporting Actor
“On behalf of our entire team, we are so incredibly touched. We did not make this film with any such a destination in mind but having received the news this morning, can only thank our endlessly dedicated crew made up of individuals from all over the world, especially our Hungarian team who we hoped to faithfully honor by the portrayals of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones’s characterizations of their roles. I’d like to use this opportunity to highlight the work of Viktória Petrányi and her extraordinary team at Proton Cinema in Budapest whom this film simply would not exist without. Mona and I are endlessly grateful to the Academy and A24 and Universal International for guiding us through this journey.”
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist,” Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Picture
“Twenty years ago, when I was just a kid working in a movie theater, I dreamt about the films that I would one day make. It has been a surreal morning and an incredible honor to be recognized by the Academy, and to see Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov celebrated for their talents makes this day even more special. I share this honor with my amazing producers, Samantha Quan and Alex Coco and the entire cast and crew of Anora. This has been a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget.”
Sean Baker, “Anora,” Best Director, Original Screenplay, Best Picture
“I was literally floored upon receiving the news of this nomination – same as I was when Jim cast me in this film in the first place. Getting to be a part of this project has been the honor of a lifetime because of how much respect I have for Joan Baez and all the artists we portray in “A Complete Unknown,” as well as the artists I’ve gotten to collaborate with in the making of this film. I’m immensely proud of everyone involved in this movie, completely humbled to see my name amongst the actresses in this category who I hold in such high regard, and am deeply grateful to the Academy for this recognition of everyone’s brilliant work.”
Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown,” Supporting Actress
“I actually thought it (oscar nominations) had been moved a week, so I was woken by my agent calling, then Jon Chu FaceTiming me – (don’t worry, it was dark so he didn’t see me naked). All this while two large Poodles were fighting for room on the pull out couch I’m currently sleeping on after being evacuated. So definitely a weird time to get this news. But I’m just glad to have been part of a film that can bring great joy to people – it makes me feel somewhat useful.”
John Powell, “Wicked,” Original Score
“I am deeply humbled by the Academy’s recognition and honored to stand alongside the remarkable women in this category. Portraying Eunice Paiva was an immense privilege, as it allowed me to embody a woman whose life was defined by extraordinary resilience and a quiet, unwavering strength. To stand here today, representing Brazil in a lineage that began with my mother’s trailblazing journey, is both surreal and deeply moving. I would like to express my gratitude to both Walter Salles, who brought this story to the screen with such sensitivity and artistry, and Marcelo Rubens Paiva, whose memoir provided the foundation for us to share his family’s story. This moment belongs to all of us.”
Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here,” Best Actress
“As an indie auteur, when I won an Academy Award 22 years ago, I would have never thought I’d get nominated for another one. My producer Liz Kearney and I are tickled pink to get this far and be acknowledged for our years of hard work. On behalf of all our artists, animators, technicians, producers, and partners, we are honored to be nominated, especially amongst such sublime and well-crafted nominees that span the full spectrum of the medium.”
Adam Elliot, “Memoir of a Snail,” Animated Feature
“Thank you to all my peers and colleagues at the Academy for this extraordinary honor. For almost four decades, I’ve experienced the peaks and valleys of being an artist. It’s given me perspective and a tremendous appreciation and respect for this moment. Portraying Laszlo Toth, and representing the hardships and yearnings of so many, including the very struggles of my own family, has rekindled my own sense of being and belonging, and believing again. Sharing this profound experience with our talented and dedicated cast and crew on ‘The Brutalist’ has been a rare gift that I am endlessly grateful for. Thank you for honoring us all with this recognition, I am only here through the support of many; I am truly humbled and will cherish this momentous occasion forever.”
Adrien Brody, Oscar Nominee for Best Actor
“Thank you very much to the Academy, I really appreciate the work being recognised like this, and I’m so proud of my friend Brady for making this film. Thank you to Peter Walsh and some of my favourite musicians, including the legendary John Tilbury, for their huge contributions to the score.”
Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist,” Original Score
“It is such an incredible honour to be recognised by my peers in the Academy, thank you for this nomination. Photographing this film for Brady was an extraordinary challenge but the most wonderful collaboration. This recognition means the world to me.”
Lol Crawley, “The Brutalist,” Cinematography
“I am so honored to be nominated by my peers in the Academy for my work on The Brutalist. Designing this film was an amazing experience, and a true labor of love. This recognition means everything to me. And a massive congratulations and thanks to my director, Brady Corbet”
Judy Becker, “The Brutalist,” Best Production Design
I don’t think I can properly express the deep levels of gratitude and joy I feel for the recognition EMILIA PÉREZ has been given. Being part of the beautiful family Jacques created was a dream and every single person involved poured their love into telling this powerful story. I’m especially grateful to Karla, whose bravery and talent brought so much depth and authenticity to ‘Emilia’. It’s a bittersweet moment as our community in Los Angeles is processing the heartbreaking losses from the ongoing fires – homes, schools, businesses and entire neighborhoods. My heart is with all those affected and I’m sending endless love and appreciation to our fearless first responders and everyone working to help rebuild our city.”
Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Perez,” Supporting Actress
“Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams. Truly there are no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition. Not only for me but for what this film represents. I am deeply humbled. This is a time of incredible contrasts and right now, my heart is with my friends, family, neighbors, and community here in LA. The fires have devastated so many lives but to see the way our community has united leaves me in awe of the resilience and compassion that defines us, and this moment is a reminder of how incredible we are when we stand together.”
Demi Moore, “The Substance,” Best Actress
“This is without doubt a very special, extraordinary honour and we would like to sincerely thank the Academy. This accolade results from Robert Eggers’ inspiring leadership and strong artistic vision along with the unwavering support of Chris and Eleanor Columbus and Focus Features. Eggers’ high expectations for the makeup and hair department and the team’s willingness allowed us all to elevate our craft. It has been such an incredible journey. This film has been nothing but a gift and a passion shared by the most talented crew. We are all very proud to have been part of this special creative, collaborative film. It is truly a highlight of our careers.”
David White, Traci Loader and Suzanne Stokes-Munton, “Nosferatu,” Makeup and Hairstyling
“We are overwhelmed by these nominations. Music and community is our life and to be nominated in two music categories by our film music community surpasses anything we could have possibly imagined. We wholeheartedly thank The Academy and congratulate our fellow Emilia Perez nominees Jacques, Zoé, Karla Sofía, Paul, Juliette, Cyril and their teams. We are so proud of your bold and incredible work being recognized. We also owe a big thanks to Selena, Edgar, Adriana, Julia, Pierre Marie, and Pascal. Congrats to all the nominees!”
Camille and Clément Ducol, “Emilia Perez,” Original Song
“We are immensely honoured that our film has been nominated for an Academy Award, and it is especially meaningful to receive this recognition from our peers around the world. This nomination is a testament to the enduring love for Wallace & Gromit, as well as the incredible talent and hard work of our entire team, in the UK and beyond.”
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” Animated Feature
“I’m thrilled to be nominated and to be celebrating the other nominations for Conclave. Edward Berger brought an extraordinary cast and crew together – he is an inspirational director with rare insight and a unique vision which lies at the heart of this film.”
Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave,” Best Actor
“Thank you to the Academy for this nomination, and for recognizing so many of the wonderful cast and crew who worked on The Brutalist. Erzsébet’s story is one of resilience, resistance, strength and hope. She represents the many women who are the underestimated force and steady backbone of their familial stories, particularly in times of tremendous hardship. Portraying her was an honor, and I’m so proud to be a part of this monumental film.”
Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist,” Supporting Actress
“Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor and these last few months have been beyond my wildest dreams. Truly there are no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition. Not only for me but for what this film represents. I am deeply humbled. This is a time of incredible contrasts and right now, my heart is with my friends, family, neighbors, and community here in LA. The fires have devastated so many lives but to see the way our community has united leaves me in awe of the resilience and compassion that defines us, and this moment is a reminder of how incredible we are when we stand together.”
Demi Moore, “The Substance,” Best Actress
“I have been a producer for almost twenty years, but producing ANUJA has been a highlight of my career. I feel so lucky to be part of this joyous story of two girls with big dreams and ambitions, but who are overlooked – my favorite kind of heroines! I’m so grateful to Adam Graves and Suchitra Mattai for inviting me and Kaling International on this journey. I also don’t sleep so it was nice to actually be doing something fun at 5:30 this morning. I should get that checked out!”
Mindy Kaling, “Anuja,” Live Action Short Film
“This is such a lovely reason to celebrate! Nosferatu is a very special film for me, and receiving a nomination for Best Costume Design from Academy Costume Branch members is an honour shared with our entire costume team. Congratulations to all Costume Design nominees. Congratulations to Jarin, Craig, David, Tracy and Suzanne for their Nosferatu nominations. Robert Eggers is an extraordinary talent whose leadership created an atmosphere that brought forth the best in his collaborators. Thank you to Focus Features for their enduring support of Nosferatu and to our incredible cast, who endured all manner of discomfort and still delivered stellar performances.”
Linda Muir, “Nosferatu,” Costume Design
“We are over the moon to see I’M NOT A ROBOT recognized with an Oscar nomination! What started as a humorous exploration of failing one too many CAPTCHA tests evolved into a profound story about identity, agency, and what it means to be human. A huge thanks to our incredible cast, crew, and everyone who believed in this slightly absurd film exploring a big existential question! It feels strange to celebrate when the city of the Oscars is literally on fire. Hopefully, film as a medium can continue doing what it has done for over a century: bring people together and provide some solace.”
Victoria Warmerdam and Trent, “I’m Not A Robot,” Live Action Short Film
“We’re absolutely thrilled by today’s nominations and honoured that the Academy have recognised the extraordinary team that we were lucky enough to bring together, to deliver Edward Berger’s brilliant vision.”
Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell and Michael A. Jackman, “Conclave,” Best Picture
“Thanks to the Academy for this huge honor. To be nominated for the film Conclave that is so well crafted, with such an amazing cast and outstanding work in all the departments makes me very happy. The collaboration with Edward Berger is for me a big gift and allows me to search and discover a lot of possibilities. Congrats also to Ralph, Lisy, Peter, and Nick on their nominations and to Tessa, Juliette and Mike for making it all possible. I am very happy for you.”
Composer Volker Bertelmann, Nominated for Music (Original Score)
“When I was young, I was always identified as the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. As I’ve gotten older, this doesn’t happen as frequently; and, I miss it especially today. I wish my parents were alive to celebrate with me this great honor. And, also, today, with this joy, my mind can’t help lingering in the beyond to David Lynch. Our collaboration was key to my understanding of the art of acting. It is my past, all that I have in me, that I brought to my interpretation of Sister Agnes in the film “Conclave”, working under the clear, sharp direction of Edward Berger his incredible cast and crew, especially the incomparable Ralph Fiennes. Thank you to the Academy. I am very honored.”
Isabella Rossellini, Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
“As an actor, you never dare to dream that something like this could happen—especially for your first English-language role. To now find myself here, alongside such performances, is profoundly humbling and deeply surreal. Thank you to the Academy for this extraordinary honor. This recognition would not be possible without our fearless director, Sean Baker, whose vision and trust brought us all on this remarkable journey. And it has been a joy to share that journey with such an exceptional ensemble cast, led by our “Ani” – Mikey, and my fellow henchmen Karren, Vache, Mark — and our extraordinary team who helped bring ANORA to audiences around the world. It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to be part of it all. Like Sean, the entire team in front and behind the camera has been quietly and steadily working for years, hoping – but never expecting – for all the dreams to come true. It’s an unbelievable feeling when it does. My heart is full of gratitude.”
Yura Borisov, “Anora,” Supporting Actor
“When we started working on this film, we never could have imagined that it would lead to this. A Latvian film has never before been nominated and for a small independent film to be recognized in the Best Animated Feature category is unbelievable. For over five years, myself and a small group of young and passionate creators worked on telling this story about an anxious cat surviving in an unforgiving landscape — a cat who learns that friendship comes when you trust those around you. I want to emphasize that this film was made using completely free tools that anyone can access. I learned filmmaking by watching Youtube videos and experimenting on my own. I am so proud of this film and what it means for the next generation of animators.”
Gints Zilbalodis, “Flow,” Best Animated Feature Film and Best International Feature Film
“‘A Complete Unknown’ was a genuine act of faith on the part of so many. It was 6 years in the making and required a huge amount of dedication from our team and our brilliant cast. I am thrilled and elated with our 8 nominations! Much gratitude to Searchlight and Disney, my fellow producers, my co-writer Jay Cocks, to the Academy for this honor, to Timothee Chalamet for his partnership and friendship, and of course for the trust that Bob Dylan extended to us I am forever grateful.”
James Mangold, “A Complete Unknown,” Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture
“It’s an incredible honour to receive this nomination for “Never Too Late,” alongside my collaborators Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt. Thank you to the Academy for this nomination and to everyone who helped bring this beautiful song to the world.”
Elton John, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Original Song
“I’m having a hard time fathoming, let alone explaining to anybody what it feels like to be Oscar nominated alongside my greatest heroes of all time for something so meaningful. I honestly can’t imagine a higher honor.”
Brandi Carlile, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Original Song
“I can’t express how grateful and excited I am to be nominated alongside these superstar songwriters and artists at this year’s Academy Awards. To stand alongside three of my heroes – Elton, Brandi, and Bernie – is a beautiful thing. Thank you to everyone who made this a possibility. May the dream never end.”
Andrew Watt, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Original Song
“It goes without saying that I’m thrilled to be nominated alongside my fellow songwriters. What makes this so special is that it was a collaborative effort that included three individuals who are dear to me, not just as a talented crew, but who have become a close knit creative family.”
Bernie Taupin, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Original Song
“This morning’s nomination is indescribably meaningful to me. This film has been an uphill battle every step of the way and faced inestimable resistance on every front. It feels absolutely miraculous to me that both Sebastian and I were recognized. Roy Cohn’s long, dark shadow was hanging over the Capitol Rotunda on Monday and his legacy of aggression, misinformation and untruth is now a Kingdom Come. This is a harrowing and courageous film that explores how we got to where we are today and was the role of a lifetime. Today’s nomination is, without overstatement, a realization of a lifelong dream. I remember spending the night on cold metal bleachers outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 1993 with my father to watch the actors and actresses arrive at the 65th Academy Awards. I remember being unable to sleep because of how exciting it was to be close to that world. I have not lost that feeling of excitement; I feel it every time I go to set or drive onto a lot or begin rehearsals. I have devoted my life to the attempt to do genuine work that would be worthy of this honor. I am filled with amazement and flooded with emotion and with deep gratitude to my peers in the Academy.”
Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice,” Supporting Actor
“It’s been a challenging few weeks processing a wide range of emotions. Today’s recognition from the Academy means more that I could ever express – and not just to myself, but to our entire Wild Robot family. This acknowledgement belongs to our cast and crew, whose ingenuity and artistry created the gentle miracle that made it to the screen. As impressed as I was to watch them break every rule about how we make these movies, I am even more humbled to see the way they have all supported each other and their communities in the wake of recent events. The grace, kindness, and quiet strength that created ‘The Wild Robot’ was not a momentary thing. It’s just the way each and every one of them carries themselves as a matter of course. They will prevail again, I know it. On their behalf, I thank every member of the Academy from the bottom of my heart.”
Chris Sanders, “The Wild Robot,” Animated Feature
Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous recognition, particularly among such a diverse and sophisticated array of films. Everyone on “The Wild Robot” team shared a powerful connection to this project and to us it represented the life’s work of our respective careers in expanding the narrative and visual boundaries of the art of animation. The world continues to need stories which promote kindness and community, and we are deeply grateful for the Academy’s response to our film.
Jeff Hermann, “The Wild Robot,” Animated Feature
“I am profoundly humbled by the Academy’s decision to nominate my original score for The Wild Robot. Writing original music for movies has been my dream since I was a little kid, and I have been lucky to dedicate my life to that special alchemy of image, sound and music. Chris Sanders’s amazing vision and the generous, open canvas of The Wild Robot provided me the space to let my musical spirit soar. I am just returning home to L.A. with my daughter and wife (who’s expecting!). This morning’s nomination and outpouring of love from the audience has been a source of great strength and reassurance during what has been a supremely challenging year for our city.
Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot,” Original Score
“I think in truth this is a compliment to our whole terrific ensemble of actors, which Jim Mangold directed so brilliantly. And if it helps connect more people to the inspiring life and spirit of Pete Seeger, even better. It was the greatest privilege to get to channel his beautiful spirit.”
Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown,” Supporting Actor
“Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous honor. Over the past few weeks we’ve had the opportunity to attend screenings and various talks and events for our film, and it’s been a real inspiration to hear from audiences about how Inside Out 2 has affected them. People have shared stories about their own struggles with anxiety, or how the film inspired their child to better accept themselves, or from teachers who show the film in classrooms to incite discussions about emotions. Honestly, it makes us tear up hearing these things. We’d hoped to make a film that would entertain people and have a meaningful impact on the world, and what we’ve been hearing makes us feel like maybe we came close to doing just that. And a nomination like this? It’s incredibly important as it underscores just how much the film resonated. Thank you.”
Kelsey Mann, Mark Neilsen, “Inside Out 2,” Animated Feature Film
“We are overjoyed and so grateful to the members of the Academy for this extraordinary recognition for both our film and our incredible leading actress, Fernanda Torres. The fact that Fernanda has been nominated 26 years after her mother Fernanda Montenegro for “Central Station” is deeply emotional for me. It was our dream that “I’m Still Here” would resonate not only in Brazil but around the entire world. We are so moved to know that indeed this is happening. This moment is a tribute to the resiliency of the Brazilian people and Brazilian culture, past and present; and in particular to the courage of our film’s protagonist Eunice Paiva, a mother of five whose inner strength in fighting injustice is ever-inspiring. We thank Marcelo Rubens Pavia, Eunice’s son, for allowing us to share this story about the resilience of the human spirit with the world, and we share this moment with our unique crew and cast, including Fernanda Montenegro, our dear Selton Mello, and with all of Brazil.”
Walter Salles, “I’m Still Here,” International Film
“While I’m truly honored by this acknowledgment, my heart remains with Los Angeles and all of us being affected by the devastating fires. This recognition is shared with Pablo Larraín and Angelina Jolie, without whose work this would not have been possible.I hope this film expresses the deserved appreciation of what a great artist Maria Callas was.”
Edward Lachman, “Maria,” Cinematography
“My thoughts go first and foremost to our dear friends living in Los Angeles, at a time when their city has been suffering so much. Many thanks and a big hug to all of them. I am very happy, deeply moved and so touched by these nominations and the enormous love for Emilia Pérez alongside these other incredible films. This recognition is a celebration of the global world we live in – a French production that is an ode to the rich culture of Mexico that I love and respect so much, and the cast led by my dear Karla Sofía Gascón, who herself is celebrated with a historic nomination. I salute her talent and Zoe, Selena and Adriana, my beloved actresses, my long-time editor and friend Juliette, my entire technical team and my wonderful composers. I am eternally grateful. I’d like to thank the CNC, the Ile de France region, the virtuous French system, without which I wouldn’t have been able to make this film. And a huge thank you to my dear American distributor, Netflix, for their love, hard work and boundless trust. Emilia is a hymn sung by four strong, independent women, so thank you to the Academy for honoring us – Vive la Cinema!” – Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Perez,” Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture