Jack Wagner, Editor

It has been a dramatic oscars season, with controversy surrounding the star of the most nominated film of the year, “Emilia Perez” and her old tweets. Additionally, several Oscar voters admitted they had not watched Dune: Part II, or that they did not vote someone for best actor believing he already had one. But now that the ceremony has come and gone, it is time to look at the real winners this awards season.

The biggest winner of the night was “Anora,” a dramedy following a young sex worker who gets married to the son of a Russian oligarch, with five Oscar wins. The film won best picture, with director Sean Baker taking home best director, best original screenplay and best film editing. The star of the film, Mikey Madison, also won best actress.

“The Brutalist,” a historical drama following an architect who leaves postwar Europe to rebuild his life in America, won three Oscars: best cinematography, best original score and best actor for star Adrian Brody.

The sci-fi epic “Dune: Part II” took home two Oscars for best sound and best visual effects.

“Emilia Perez,” the controversial musical film about a Mexican cartel boss who transitions into a woman and tries to escape her old life, won just two of the 13 Oscars it was nominated for, with “El Mal” taking home best song and Zoe Saldana winning best supporting actress.

“Wicked”, the film adaptation of the hit broadway musical about the Wicked Witch of the West won Oscars for best costumes and best production design.

Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor for his role in “A Real Pain,” the story of two cousins touring Poland to honor their deceased grandmother.

Best documentary feature film went to “No Other Land,” a film about the destruction of hamlets in Palestine’s occupied West Bank made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective.

Best documentary short film was won by “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”, the story of the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Animation saw a bit of a shakeup, with the Latvian animated film “Flow,” created by the small independent film studio Dream Well beating out films by big names like Disney and Dreamworks for best animated feature film. The movie follows a cat displaced by a flood who finds a new home aboard a large boat.

“In the Shadow of the Cypress,” an Iranian short film about a former sea captain with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and his daughter took home best animated short film.

Best writing (adapted screenplay) went to “Conclave,” the story of a catholic cardinal who discovers secrets during the process of selecting a new pope.

Best live action short film was won by “I’m Not a Robot,” which follows a woman who spirals into an existential crisis after repeatedly failing a CAPTCHA test.

And last but not least, “I’m Still Here,” a Brazilian film following a woman’s fight to uncover what really happened to her missing husband.