Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free
Citizenfour won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 2015 Academy Awards for its look at whistleblower Edward Snowden, who exposed US intelligence organisation National Security Agency’s illegal surveillance activities.
The film’s director, Laura Poitras, was in the Hong Kong hotel room with Snowden when he handed over the secret documents he had obtained working as a contractor for the NSA to a pair of journalists, who then blew open the story and brought intense criticism of the US government from all over the world.
Citizenfour beat out Finding Vivian Maie r, Last Days in Vietnam , The Salt of the Earth and Virunga to claim the golden statue.
Read more: Oscars 2015 live blog Oscars 2015 predictions in full The best Oscars acceptance speeches of all time A peek inside the ridiculous Oscars goodie bags
Show all 38 1 /38Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Emma Stone in Elie Saab. Lime green is an usual colour on the red carpet but if anyone can make it work it's Emma Stone. The dress is very pretty but with previous looks including a jumpsuit we were expecting something a little more fashion forward.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Scarlett Johansson in Versace. A figure hugging emerald green gown by Versace for Scarlett Johansson. The oversized necklace takes away abit from the dress but perhaps she's trying to distract from the new shaved hairdo she's sporting.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Julianne Moore in Chanel couture. Julianne Moore has consistently dominated best dressed lists this award's season. This custom made design by Chanel will help her retain the title, we've seen alot of white dresses on the red carpet but this sequin dress is a superior example, managing to be both simple in structure but detailed in construction.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford. A sleek white gown for Reese with contrasting black off-the-shoulder and waist bands to accentuate her hourglass figure.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Jennifer Aniston in Versace. A nude beaded dress by Versace for Jennifer Aniston, up close the beading is sheer in parts - an unusually risque design for the actress who we normally see playing it safe on the red carpet.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Jessica Chastain in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. A stylish navy for Jessica Chastain complete with thigh slit and sequinned bodice for added detailing.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Lady Gaga in Alaia. This dress is very special indeed - the first custom made design for the Oscars to come from Azzedine Alaia. Although rather spectacular it's actually very tame by Gaga standards - even with those red gloves.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Keira Knightley in Valentino. Keira is very much the glowing expectant mother in this ethereal gown complete with flower embroidery by Valentino.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph and Russo. Gwyneth has gone back to her Oscar roots with a pale pink gown reminiscent of the Ralph Lauren one she wore back in the 90s. A pretty colour but there is something very 80s about the big flower on her shoulder.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab couture. This is one seriously mega dress, but we expect nothing less from Jennifer Lopez.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Meryl Streep in Lanvin. There's not many people that could get away with turning up to the Oscars in a skirt, blazer and blouse but Meryl Streep luckily is one of them.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Kerry Washington in Miu Miu. A figure fitting nude dress by Miu Miu for Kerry Washington, the champagne colour makes a nice change from all the white dresses we've been seeing and on closer inspection the skirt is actually entirely beaded.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Marion Cotillard in Dior couture. As expected Marion Cotillard opted for a couture design by Dior.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton. Nicole Kidman opted for a sleek sequinned gown by Louis Vuitton - the iridescent sequins are not photographing well here. The addition of a red belt to the look will divide opinion but it brings a welcome addition of colour that nicely breaks up the dress.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Naomi Watts in Armani Prive One of the more unusual dresses of the evening, Naomi Watts opted for a silver and black patterned halterneck gown with black band detailing. The cutaway back with cropped top gives it a modern touch.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Dakota Johnson in Saint Laurent. A bold red dress for the star of Fifty Shades of Grey who is presenting an award at tonight's ceremony. The embellished one shoulder detail adds a hint of sparkle to the look.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Zoe Saldana in Versace A flattering dress with draping at the centre to the make the most of Zoe's curve. However the colour lets it down - beige is never a good colour on the red carpet.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Rita Ora in Marchesa. A dramatic red carpet look for Rita Ora - which helps make an otherwise quite boring colour - something special.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Cate Blanchett in Maison Margiela. Only Cate Blanchett could get away with wearing what is a very simple black shift shape gown with the addition of a bright blue necklace to add a pop colour.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Behati Prinsloo in Armani Prive Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo is flawless in an exquisite beaded red and black gown by Armani Prive.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Rosamund Pike in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Red dresses are trend on this evenings red carpet. This is one of the best, and it fits Rosamund like a glove; with lace, a thigh split and a nipped in waist detail to make the most of Rosamund's shape.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Solange Knowles breaks the mould in this hybrid red culotte/dress design. Whilst it is certainly innovative it would have been nice to see it with a little less fabric.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Chrissy Teigan in Zuhair Murad There's too much going on here - the lace embroidered top, the multiple thigh splits, the chiffon on the back and the very dark choice of lipstick.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Lupita Nyong'o in Calvin Klein. Lupita was the undisputed winner of the 2014 awards season, she's presenting an award tonight and hasn't dropped the ball in the wardrobe department in this custom made stunning white beaded gown.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Chloe Grace Moretz in Miu Miu. The young actress opted for a strapless floral print gown by Miu Miu. This won't be to everyone's taste but black tie gowns can be aging so it's refreshing to see a younger star do something different.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Sienna Miller in Oscar de la Renta. Sienna Miller is usually a pioneer in the style stakes however this simple dress by Oscar de la Renta is just a little drab.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Felicity Jones in Alexander McQueen. The British actress in a silver beaded gown custom made by Alexander McQueen. Whilst the custom made design is rather amazing, as with other rather voluminous dresses worn during awards season by Felicity Jones, it seems to overwhelm her.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Margot Robbie in Saint Laurent This black chiffon gown by Saint Laurent has a 70s feel to it. The black chiffon gown has alot of fabric to it and the long sleeves and billowing fabric could be overwhelming but Margot Robbie pulls it off with ease.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Laura Dern in Alberta Ferretti Nominee Laura Dern opted for this silver strapless gown by Alberta Ferretti, unfortunately the metallic makes her look ready for battle - it's a little too warrior princess for a red carpet.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Anna Kendrick in Thakoon Coral is not a common colour on the red carpet, but Anna effortlessly pulls off this pretty halterneck gown. The only issue with the dress is the cut-out which was a detail too far.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Jennifer Hudson. A very welcome flash of colour provided by this sleek yellow dress.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Patricia Arquette in Rosetta Getty Nominee Patricia opted for the eternally stylish colour combination of black and white. The look is flattering whilst the off-the-shoulder sweep of fabric adds a more modern touch to the otherwise classic look.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa A minimalist look for supermodel Karolina Kurkova, proving sometimes less is more.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Faith Hill in J.Mendel Singer Faith Hill opted for a white beaded gown by J.Mendel. The pretty beading and low neckline stops this white dress straying into bridal territory.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup America Ferrera in Jenny Packham A pretty Grecian design for the star of Ugly Betty. The chiffon layers gives a nice softness to this look.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Kelly Osbourne A classy red carpet appearance for the usually more eccentric Kelly O, the voluminous skirt and lace sleeves make for a very flattering dress.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Giuliana Rancic in Mireille Dagher On first glance a nice look on the E! presenter, however on closer observation the front of the dress includes fishnet - something that should never be seen on a red carpet gown.
Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Oscars 2015: Red carpet roundup Anna Faris in Zuhair Murad. A very pretty, strapless embellished ball gown gown by Zuhair Murad for Anna Faris.
Snowden emailed Poitras in January 2013 calling himself Citizen Four. Poitras met Snowden in Honk Kong and recorded their meetings, which served as the basis of the film.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies