Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón has made history with her nomination for Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars for her role in Emilia Pérez. Her role in Emilia Pérez not only earned her global recognition but also cemented her place in history as the first transgender actress to receive an Oscar nomination. Gascón is also just the second Spanish actress to compete in this category, following Penélope Cruz.

The Story Behind Emilia Pérez

Emilia Pérez has taken the film world by storm. The movie tells a powerful story about identity, resilience, and love, and it’s backed by a stellar cast, including Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. The film premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2024, where its cast won the award for Best Female Performance. With 13 Oscar nominations, the most ever for an international film, it’s clear Emilia Pérez is a global sensation.

Oscars 2025: Best Actress Nominees

Gascón is up against strong contenders for the Best Actress Oscar, including Fernanda Torres (Still Here), Mikey Madison (Anora), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and the favorite, Demi Moore (The Substance). It’s a competitive lineup, but Gascón’s powerful performance in Emilia Pérez has already turned heads worldwide.

Spain at the Oscars

This year, Spain’s representation at the Oscars is smaller than many hoped. Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and two short films (Paris 70 and The Great Work), didn’t make the final cut for nominations despite early buzz.

That leaves Gascón as Spain’s sole representative. Whether she takes home the award or not, her nomination is a historic moment for Spanish cinema. It’s a recognition of her talent and a step forward for greater diversity and representation in the industry.

Main image: Wikipedia/Frank Sun