Oscars 2025: Asian and Middle Eastern talent shine in diverse nominations
With Emilia Pérez leading the race and films like Black Box Diaries and Anuja gaining recognition, the 97th Academy Awards celebrate global storytelling and inclusivity
Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott: Shining a spotlight on the stars of tomorrow at the Academy Awards
Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
The 97th Academy Awards will be a significant event, showcasing a diverse mix of talent and narratives from around the world. Amid the Los Angeles wildfires, the nominations highlight Hollywood's evolving identity and reflect the growing global interest in stories that are unique and true to life.
Emilia Pérez leads the race with 13 nominations, dominating major categories, including Best Picture. The Brutalist and Wicked follow closely with ten nominations each. Another strong contender is Anoura, which has received six nominations for its bold portrayal of a sex worker's connection with the son of a Russian tycoon.
Emilia Pérez: Leading the charge with 13 nominationsInstagram/posterphilia
However, this year's Oscars are significant not only because of these heavyweights but also due to the increased representation of Asian and Middle Eastern talent.
Jon M Chu's adaptation of Wicked: Part I has received 10 nominations, including Best Picture. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's performances earned them nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Despite the film's success, Chu has yet to receive a Best Director nomination, which has baffled fans and reviewers.
Black Box Diaries, a documentary about Japanese journalist Shiori Itō's battle against sexual assault, brings out the strength of investigative journalism. Its nomination for Documentary Feature Film points out the importance of Asian perspectives in storytelling.
Uncovering truth and resilience, Black Box Diaries brings vital stories to lightInstagram/blackboxdiariesdoc
Magic Candies, directed by Daisuke Nishio and Takashi Washio, represents Japanese creativeness in animated storytelling. This beautiful storey about a young person finding his sofa can talk through magical marbles reflect the charm and creativity of Asian animation.
Magic Candies: A whimsical journey where imagination and wonder collideInstagram/toei_animation_europe
Diversity extends to animated films, with global voices bringing characters to life. Inside Out 2 features the voice of Filipino actress Liza Lapira, while The Wild Robot stars Stephanie Hsu. Also, the much-loved duo Wallace & Gromit return in Vengeance Most Fowl, starring Lauren Patel and Muzz Khan.
Indian representation remains strong, with Anuja nominated for Best Live Action Short Film. The film, produced by Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, portrays the compelling storey of two sisters working in a Delhi textile factory whose lives depend on a critical choice. Anuja, directed by Adam J. Graves, underscores the power of locally relevant yet universal storytelling.
Anuja: A poignant tale of sisterhood and sacrifice set in the heart of DelhiInstagram/anujathefilm
Meanwhile, the elimination of Payal Kapadia's critically applauded film All We Imagine as Light from the Oscars has stirred discussion about squandered opportunities. Despite its global popularity, which included a Grand Prix at Cannes and accolades from critics' groups across the world, it did not receive an Oscar nomination.
All We Imagine as Light: A gripping exploration of untold stories and unspoken truthsInstagram/allweimagineaslightfilm
This year's nominees however go beyond an acknowledgement of artistic excellence; they also indicate a trend toward inclusion and global storytelling. With films like Black Box Diaries, Magic Candies, and Anuja, as well as the incredible talent behind Wicked: Part I, the Academy is broadening its horizons to include themes that transcend cultural barriers.
As the 97th Academy Awards approach on March 23, 2025, cinegoers across the world restlessly wait to find out if these remarkable nominations will result in wins. Regardless of the outcomes, this year’s Oscars are more like a proof of the growing demand for diverse voices and global perspectives in cinema.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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