Fernanda Torres Makes Oscar History with Best Actress Nomination

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres made history on Thursday, January 23, 2025, by earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in “Ainda Estou Aqui” (“I Am Still Here”). The nomination marks a significant milestone for Brazilian cinema, as Torres becomes the second Brazilian actress to compete in the category, following her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was nominated in 1999 for “Central do Brasil.”

The 97th Academy Awards, set for March 2 in Los Angeles, will see Torres compete against Mikey Madison (“Anora“), Demi Moore (“A Substância”), Karla Sofía Gascón (“Emilia Pérez“), and Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked“). Directed by Walter Salles, “Ainda Estou Aqui” also made history as the first Brazilian film nominated for Best Picture, alongside its Best International Feature Film nod.

“I just don’t want people to think that if the award doesn’t come, the film loses,” Torres said in an interview last November. She emphasized that the film’s impact transcends awards, resonating deeply with audiences in Brazil and beyond.

The film, an adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, tells the story of Paiva’s mother, who transformed from a 1970s housewife into a prominent human rights activist after her husband, former congressman Rubens Paiva, was murdered by Brazil’s military dictatorship. Selton Mello co-stars as Rubens Paiva, delivering a powerful performance that has also garnered acclaim.

The nomination comes amid challenging times for the film industry, as Los Angeles recovers from devastating wildfires. Academy President Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer acknowledged the resilience of the city and the global film community during the nominations announcement. “These are difficult times for everyone in the film industry, but Los Angeles and the industry are resilient,” Yang said. “For nearly a century, the Oscars have united us to celebrate the global film community.”

Torres’ nomination has sparked pride in Brazil, with many viewing it as a long-overdue recognition of the country’s cinematic talent. The film’s success has also reignited discussions about the legacy of Fernanda Montenegro’s near-win in 1999, with some calling it a correction of past injustices.

As the Oscars approach, all eyes will be on Torres and “Ainda Estou Aqui,” a film that has already made history before the awards ceremony even begins.