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"Citizenfour", a documentary which focuses on NSA leaker Edward Snowden by Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky, has won Best Documentary award at the 2015 Academy Awards. "The subject of 'CitizenFour,' Edward Snowden, could not be here tonight for some treason," the show's host Neil Patrick Harris said.

Shortly after the win, the ACLU sent out Snowden's reaction. "When Laura Poitras asked me if she could film our encounters, I was extremely reluctant. I'm grateful that I allowed her to persuade me," he said, as quoted by WSJ. "The result is a brave and brilliant film that deserves the honor and recognition it has received. My hope is that this award will encourage more people to see the film and be inspired by its message that ordinary citizens, working together, can change the world."

Prior to the announcement in Documentary category, Emmanuel Lubezki was handed with a trophy in cinematography for his work in Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu-directed "Birdman". Last year, Lubezki was also honored with the same gong for Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity". Shortly afterwards, Tom Cross won Best Film Editing gong for "Whiplash".

Following a touching performance of "Glory" from the "Selma" soundtrack by Common and John Legend, audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles gave a standing ovation. The song was later named Best Original Song at the award show. "We say that 'Selma' is now because the struggle for justice is right now," Legend said onstage when receiving the trophy.

'Right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real.' �¢ï¿½ï¿½Oscar winner John Legend. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/oS6DQcwGbL

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 23, 2015