History made at the Oscars as CODA wins best picture, Jane Campion best director, and Troy Kotsur and Ariana DeBose the awards for best supporting roles

With CODA’s best picture victory, Apple TV+ becomes the first streaming service to take home the top prize at the Academy Awards

Ariana DeBose becomes the first Afro-Latina to win best supporting actress and CODA’s Troy Kotsur the first deaf winner. Billie Eilish, Drive My Car also win

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CODA cast and crew accept the award for best picture onstage at the 94th Oscars ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The heartwarming indie drama about a deaf family defying the odds beat early runners The Power of the Dog and Belfast to the top prize. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:26am, 28 Mar 2022Updated: 3:10pm, 18 Oct 2024

CODA, the heartwarming indie drama about a deaf family defying the odds, won the top prize on Oscars night for best picture, the first time a streaming service took home the film industry’s biggest prize.

CODA was released by Apple TV+, which beat Netflix’s contender The Power of the Dog and other entries from traditional Hollywood studios.

“I really want to thank the academy for recognising a movie of love and family at this difficult time that we need today,” producer Patrick Wachsberger said in front of the film’s cast stood on stage.

Deaf actors feature in several lead roles.

Best supporting actress winner Ariana DeBose poses with her Oscar backstage at the Dolby Theatre. Photo: Reuters

Earlier, in a pair of firsts, CODA’s Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to win an Oscar and Ariana DeBose the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBTQ performer to win best supporting actress.

Kotsur took the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as a fisherman and father in CODA, which also won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.