• "Emilia Pérez" receives 13 nominations, setting a record for non-English language films.
• The Oscars ceremony will proceed despite devastating wildfires impacting Los Angeles.
• Several notable films, including "Wicked" and "The Brutalist," received multiple nominations.
• Academy leadership emphasizes resilience and unity in the film community.
• Key categories included fierce competition for Best Actress and Best Picture.

In the aftermath of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that shook the heart of the film industry, the nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced, with the Netflix film "Emilia Pérez" leading the charge with a remarkable 13 nominations. This not only cements the film's significance but also sets a record as the most-nominated non-English language film in Oscar history, surpassing the 10 nominations of Netflix's previous contender, "Roma". The nominations ceremony took place on a range of platforms, including Oscar.com and the ABC morning show, "Good Morning America," with Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott as hosts.

The nominations reflect a wide-open race this year with ten films vying for Best Picture: "Anora," "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown," "Conclave," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Pérez," "I’m Still Here," "Nickel Boys," "The Substance," and "Wicked." "Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu, also gained significant recognition, earning 10 nominations, while "The Brutalist" by Brady Corbet followed closely with its own ten nods.

As the film community contends with the heartbreaking impacts of wildfires, which prompted postponements of the nominations and discussions about the feasibility of holding the Oscars at all, the Academy leaders stated that the ceremony must go ahead as a beacon of resilience for Los Angeles. "We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry," affirming organizers ambition to celebrate the global film community.

Significantly, Karla Sofía Gascón received a nomination for Best Actress for her role in "Emilia Pérez,", marking her as the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar. The competitive Best Actress category also included Demi Moore for "The Substance," Cynthia Erivo for "Wicked," Fernanda Torres for "I’m Still Here," and Mikey Madison for "Anora." In a year rife with unpredictable outcomes, filmgoers and industry insiders will be eagerly speculating on who may take home the coveted awards on March 2.

This year’s Oscars promise to be particularly poignant as they stand as a symbol of survival and unity within a film community grappling with recent trials. As echoed by academy leaders, the awards will serve to uplift those affected and celebrate the collaboration and creativity that define cinema.

For more information and updates on the Oscars, visit AP News.