Los Angeles (California) [US], March 3: The 2025 Oscars have concluded, and Anora emerged as the big winner, claiming five Academy Awards, including the prestigious Best Picture accolade. Directed by Sean Baker, the film also triumphed in four other categories: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
Madison’s win was a surprising moment of the evening, as she bested frontrunner Demi Moore, who had long been considered the favorite for Best Actress. In her emotional acceptance speech, Madison expressed gratitude to the Academy and honored the sex worker community, stating, “I will continue to support and be an ally,” according to Variety.
Sean Baker’s heartfelt acceptance speech for Best Director included a passionate call for the preservation of movie theaters, especially independent ones, which he described as struggling. “If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture,” he warned, as per Variety.
Baker’s win for Best Director marked one of four Oscars he took home for Anora, making him the first individual to secure four Academy Awards in a single year for the same film. He also won Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.
The triumph of Anora at the 2025 Oscars was a landmark moment for independent filmmaking, with Baker’s dedication to cinema resonating throughout the ceremony. In his acceptance for Best Picture, he declared, “Long live independent film.”