- Sean Baker’s Anora wins Best Picture, sweeping four major awards, including Best Director.
- Adrien Brody wins Best Actor, 22 years after his first Oscar, while Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña claim supporting awards.
- Indie film Flow surprises by winning Best Animated Feature over DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot.
Sean Baker’s Anora, a gritty indie drama about a stripper’s whirlwind romance gone wrong, dominated the 97th Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Screenplay. Baker’s remarkable four-win night tied a record set by Walt Disney in 1954.
The night was full of surprises, from Adrien Brody’s emotional Best Actor win for The Brutalist to Flow, a Latvian animated feature, pulling off a stunning upset.
Anora and Indie Films Shine at the 2025 Oscars
Sean Baker’s Anora reinforced the Academy’s growing recognition of independent cinema, joining past Best Picture winners like Nomadland and CODA. With just $16 million at the box office, Anora had one of the lowest earnings for a Best Picture winner, yet its success reaffirmed the artistic impact of smaller, character-driven films. Baker used his platform to advocate for traditional theatrical releases, urging filmmakers to continue making movies for the big screen.
Adrien Brody’s return to the Oscar stage after 22 years was a highlight of the night. His portrayal of a Holocaust survivor in The Brutalist resonated deeply, earning him a second Best Actor award. Kieran Culkin, meanwhile, took home his first Oscar for A Real Pain, while Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, marking a historic win for Dominican representation at the Academy Awards.
The ceremony also brought unexpected wins, including Flow in Best Animated Feature, shocking audiences as it triumphed over major studio productions. Dune: Part Two won for visual effects and sound, while Wicked dazzled with awards for production and costume design. Conan O’Brien’s hosting was well received, striking a balance between humor and heartfelt tributes, particularly his praise for Los Angeles’ resilience following the January wildfires.
Documentary feature No Other Land stood out for its bold political message, addressing Israeli occupation in the West Bank. Directors Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra called for peace and mutual recognition, making it one of the evening’s most talked-about moments. Meanwhile, Brazilian film I’m Still Here won Best International Feature, resonating with audiences for its depiction of resistance under dictatorship.
The 97th Academy Awards showcased the evolving landscape of Hollywood, where independent films, international stories, and diverse voices are earning long-overdue recognition. While box office giants like Dune: Part Two and Wicked found success in technical categories, the night belonged to Anora and its call for storytelling over spectacle.
“Long live independent film!” – Sean Baker, Best Director & Best Picture Winner
