The Screen Actors Guild Awards are an annual event where the academy’s most talented and forthcoming artists are recognized for their talent and projects from that year. A total of 13 awards are handed out to film and television performers voted for by the members of SAG-AFTRA, an American performing arts labor union.
The first category is “Outstanding Performance by a Cast In a Motion Picture”. The nominees were “A Complete Unknown”, “Conclave”, “Anora”, “Emelia Perez”, and “Wicked”. The cast of “Conclave” ended up taking the trophy’s home.
Up next was “Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor In a Leading Role”. In this category were Pamela Anderson from “The Last Showgirl”, Cynthia Erivo from “Wicked”, Karla Sofia Gascon from “Emelia Perez”, and Demi Moore from “The Substance”. Moore won in this category, garnering her first SAG award in an over 30-year long career.
Next was “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor In a Leading Role”. The nominees were as follows: Adrien Brody, for “The Brutalist”, Timothee Chalamet, for “A Complete Unknown”, Daniel Craig, for “Queer”, Colman Domingo, for “Sing Sing”, and Ralph Fiennes, for “Conclave”. Chalamet took home the gold for his portrayal of Bob Dylan.
Best performance for male and female actors in a supporting role went to Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain”, and Zoe Saldana for “Emelia Perez” respectively.
The FX series, “Shogun” and its cast went home with four awards, with three in the drama category for best ensemble and male and female actors, and one for best stunt ensemble in a television show. Jean Smart and Martin Short grabbed best female and male actors in a comedy series for their performances in “Hacks” and “Only Murders In the Building”.
“Baby Reindeers” lead Jessica Gunning won for her showcase in a limited series, with Colin Farrell winning in the male category for “The Penguin”. Best ensemble in a comedy series went to “Only Murders in the Building” and best stunt ensemble in a motion picture went to “The Fall Guy”.
Another prestigious award that is handed out during the ceremony is the SAG-AFTRA Lifetime Achievement Award. 2025’s gracious recipient was Jane Fonda, an 87-year-old American actress, activist, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
During her acceptance, she delivered a politically charged speech speaking out against immorality in America.
“Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke,” said Fonda, “And by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”
She didn’t actually call out Donald Trump or his administration but appeared to reference their actions and call for mutual protection against the policies coming America’s way. Fonda has been involved in activism since the 1960s, where she joined the effort of the Civil Rights movement.
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is a community in and of itself dedicated to facilitating artistry and national conversation. The awards ceremony serves as a way to unite workers and audiences, and also pay respects to talented individuals.
With what 2024 had in store, the 2025 ceremony was bound to be memorable.
