For decades, the Oscars have been a stage where Latin American and Brazilian talent has often been overlooked, sidelined, or reduced to stereotypes. Despite rich storytelling traditions and a wealth of creative brilliance, actors, filmmakers, and creatives from Central and South America have historically struggled for recognition at Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony.
History of Latin America Nominees
The statistics are sobering: only 2% of Oscar nominees and winners have been Hispanic or Latino, with glaring gaps in major acting categories.
No Latina has ever won Best Actress, and only two Latin American filmmakers have taken home the award for Best Picture in 2017, The Shape of Water, and 2014, Birdman. A Latino has not won Best Actor since 1950 and there hasn’t been a Latino nomination for the category since 2011.
2025: The Year of Change
This year, the Academy might finally be making history! With five Latino artists nominated in major acting categories, a Best Picture nominee for the groundbreaking Brazil film I’m Still Here e 13 nominations for the French-Mexican narco-musical Emilia Pérez, the Academy appears to be waking up to the undeniable power of Latin American storytelling. These nominations celebrate the talent that has been pushing boundaries for decades.
From Fernanda Torres’ poignant performance as a lawyer-activist in I’m Still Here to Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination as the first transgender actress in the Best Actress category for Emilia Pérez, this year’s nominees are rewriting Oscar history. Zoe Saldaña, Colman Domingo, Monica Barbaro, and others are also bringing their heritage to the forefront, proving that Latinx talent belongs at the center of global cinema.
The 2025 Oscars are becoming a long-overdue reckoning with Hollywood’s history of exclusion. It’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and cultural richness that has always deserved its place in the spotlight.
Latin American Nominees
Films
| Emilia Pérez | A French narco-musical with 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), and Best Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón). Features two Spanish-language songs nominated for Best Original Song: “El Mal” (performed by Zoe Saldaña) and “Mi Camino” (sung by Selena Gomez). |
| Sing Sing | Nominated for Best Picture. Features Colman Domingo, an Afro-Latino actor, nominated for Best Actor for his performance as a prisoner. |
| Conclave | Features Mexican actor Carlos Diehz in the crucial role of Cardinal Benitez |
| Other Recognized Films | Dune: Part Two (Javier Bardem featured prominently). Alien: Romulus (directed by Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Álvarez, recognized in technical categories). |
Actors
| Karla Sofía Gascón: | First transgender actress nominated for Best Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. Her performance as Manitas has sparked both acclaim and controversy. |
| Colman Domingo: | Nominated for Best Actor for his role in Sing Sing, representing Afro-Latino talent. |
| Zoe Saldaña: | Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. She also performed the nominated song “El Mal”. |
| Monica Barbaro: | Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Joan Baez in “A Complete Unknown”. |
| Selena Gomez: | Recognized as a performer of the nominated song “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez. |
Brazilian Nominees
Films
| I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) | Directed by Walter Salles, this is the first Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture. Also competing in the categories of Best International Feature and Best Actress (Fernanda Torres). The film tells the story of Eunice Paiva, an activist during Brazil’s military dictatorship, and has been praised as a powerful narrative of resistance. |
Actors
| Fernanda Torres | Nominated for Best Actress for her role in I’m Still Here. This marks a historic moment as she follows in her mother Fernanda Montenegro’s footsteps, who was previously the only Brazilian actress nominated in this category (1999). |
This year’s nominations highlight a growing recognition of Latin American and Brazilian cinema at the Oscars, celebrating diverse stories and groundbreaking performances that reflect cultural richness and resilience.
Make sure to place your bets on your favourite Latin America nominees on the Gambyl Exchange, and get ready to watch them take home the Golden Statue when the Oscars air live on March 2nd 2025.
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