Troy Kotsur, winner of Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "Coda," poses in the press room during the 94th Academy Awards, Hollywood, California, March 27, 2022. (Photo: CFP)

The much-anticipated 94th Academy Awards lifted its curtain on Sunday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Aspiring indie drama "Coda" was crowned Best Picture as Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to win Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.

Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli presented the award to the film, which follows teenager Ruby, who can hear, as she juggles pursuing her musical ambitions with her family's dependence on her to communicate. Deaf actors feature in several lead roles.

Best Director went to Jane Campion for the western psychological drama "The Power of the Dog."

Campion is only the third woman to take the golden statuette for Best Director in the ceremony's more than 90-year history, after Kathryn Bigelow and Chloe Zhao, and is the first to be nominated twice for the honor.

"I love directing because it's a deep dive into story, yet the task of creating a world can be overwhelming," Campion told the audience at the Dolby Theater.

Will Smith beat Javier Bardem, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield and Denzel Washington and take home the Oscar for Best Actor for the tennis biopic "King Richard."

The Oscar for Best Actress went to Jessica Chastain for "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," beating Olivia Colman, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart.