Significant Wins at the Academy Awards!

March 3, 2025

Statement on Behalf of Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition, on 97th Academy Award Recipients

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) proudly acknowledges the excellence and cultural pride showcased at this year’s 97th Academy Awards. The evening highlighted outstanding achievements in film, with Latine entertainers and diverse stories taking center stage, marking significant firsts in the entertainment industry.

We extend our congratulations to Zoe Saldaña on her first Academy Award win in the category of Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Emilia Pérez. Saldaña’s win is the first win by a Dominican-American actress at the Academy Awards, and in her acceptance speech she highlighted the journey that she and her family have lived by sharing: “My grandmother came to this country in 1961 — I am a proud child of immigrant parents…with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.” With Saldaña’s win, we are hopeful for the future of people of color taking up space and receiving praise at the Oscars and throughout all awards shows. 

In the category of Best Costume Design, we celebrate Paul Tazewell on his historic Academy Award win for his exceptional work on Wicked. This milestone marks Tazewell's first Oscar victory and the first time a Black man has received the award in this category. His win paves the way for greater diversity and representation in the technical, and often overlooked, categories of filmmaking.

In a night filled with unforgettable moments, the 97th Academy Awards celebrated outstanding achievements, with El Mal from Emilia Pérez taking home the Oscar for Best Original Song, while the powerful Brazilian drama I’m Still Here made history as the first Brazilian film to win the Best International Feature award. In a powerful moment of unity, the Israeli-Palestinian documentary No Other Land won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Co-directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham used their acceptance speech to bridge political divides, calling on the urgent need for justice, peace, and hope.

This year’s Academy Awards nominations and wins underscored the growing recognition of diverse voices, reflecting audiences’ increasing demand for authentic stories. We look forward to further amplifying and celebrating the talents within our communities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable film industry.

Yours in the Movement, 

Brenda Victoria Castillo

President & CEO

National Hispanic Media Coalition

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a 40+ year old 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We advance Latino visibility and influence from the halls of Washington, D.C., to the studios of Hollywood. Through our media advocacy and workforce development initiatives, NHMC creates spaces where diverse creators can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Our Series Scriptwriters Program, Latinx Stream Showcase, Creators Networking Program, Careers in Entertainment Youth Program, and Media Advocacy Fellowships serve as both incubators and pipelines, preparing the next generation of storytellers, advocates, and industry leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking opportunities, and direct access to entertainment executives, these programs help transform emerging talent into lasting industry voices while expanding authentic representation across media.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate in the space of Artificial Intelligence when it intersects with civil & human rights, including making sure Latino-Interest and children’s protections are included in AI initiatives and implementations. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

© 2026 National Hispanic Media Coalition // communications@nhmc.org // o. (626) 792-6462
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