Winning Big at the Oscars 2025: Anora Secures Five Awards

The 97th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre, was a night filled with celebration and history. One of the most significant moments came when the Best Documentary Feature award was given to "No Other Land", a powerful documentary film that shines a light on the forced displacement of a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank.

Directed, produced, written, and edited by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of activists and filmmakers—Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham—the film documents a poignant and heart-wrenching story that has been largely overlooked.

"No Other Land" struggled to find a distributor in the US before its triumph at the Academy Awards. The win marked a significant milestone, not just for the film, but for the representation of Palestinian narratives in mainstream media.

The film's victory was unexpectedly accompanied by a powerful message. During their acceptance speech, the filmmakers called for an end to "ethnic cleansing" of the Palestinian people.

Another film that made a mark that night was Sean Baker's production, which walked away with a total of 5 Oscars, including the Best Film award.

The political reality, including the "imperialist" turn caused by the Trump administration, was notably absent from the ceremony. However, the word "war" echoed in the theatre for the first time when "No Other Land" won the Best Documentary Oscar.

A notable moment came when Daryl Hannah, presenting the Best Editing award, uttered "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine), a phrase that has become a symbol of support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.

In a unique twist, "No Other Land" features an unexpected alliance between Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, showcasing the potential for understanding and unity amidst conflict.

This historic win for "No Other Land" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling in shedding light on critical issues and fostering dialogue.