The 85th Academy Awards kept viewers on the edge of their seats as every nominee was worthy of claiming the iconic gold statuette. This year’s Oscar winners and nominees prove that world cinema is stronger than ever — each film wowed audiences with stunning visuals captured in various parts around the globe. After utilizing the filming hot spot of Taiwan, Life of Pi went home with four Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography and Ang Lee’s win as Best Director. “I [couldn’t have] made this film without the help of Taiwan,” said Lee. “We shot there, and I want to thank everyone who helped.”

Duplicating Iran in 1979, the Best Picture winner Argo shot in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Turkey while using Ontario for Tehran Airport scenes. Argo also won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing, the latter win allowing Editor William Goldenberg to beat his own work on Zero Dark Thirty (a nomination he shared with Editor Dylan Tichenor). Renowned Director of Photography Claudio Miranda, ASC won the Cinematography Oscar for Life of Pi.  Best Cinematography nominee Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC shot the breathtaking Skyfall in Turkey, China and the United Kingdom. An ASC Award winner, Deakins has now been nominated for an Oscar 10 times, and more conservative filmmakers point out that today’s accomplished DPs must now compete with films like Life of Pi, which was mostly created in postproduction with intense CGI work.

The Oscar ceremony’s biggest surprise came when two films won for Best Sound Editing: Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty. Garnering a total of five nominations, the gritty drama Zero Dark Thirty filmed in India, Poland, the United Kingdom and Jordan. Django Unchained shot in the states of Louisiana, California and Wyoming, and Best Original Screenplay winner Quentin Tarantino filmed several scenes on historic slave plantations from the early 19th century. This realistic environment aided the creative process for the entire cast, including Best Supporting Actor winner Christoph Waltz. Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln filmed on an array of locations in Virginia, with a heavy focus in Petersburg and Richmond. The epic film garnered Oscars for Production Design and Best Actor Daniel Day Lewis. The romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook shot on location in Pennsylvania, giving Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence an authentic setting for her compelling performance.