LOS ANGELES – Independent cinema had its defining night at the 97th Academy Awards, where Sean Baker’s Anora earned Best Picture and swept four other major categories in a surprise victory that thrilled global film communities.
Set in Brooklyn and centered on the unexpected love story between a sex worker and the heir of a Russian oligarch, Anora stunned audiences with its emotional range and honesty—qualities that earned it widespread critical acclaim and now Oscar gold.
Baker, who also won Best Director, Screenplay, and Editing, dedicated the film’s success to “independent artists everywhere who believe in telling human stories without compromise.”
Mikey Madison’s powerful performance as the film’s lead also won her Best Actress, signaling the arrival of a new talent in Hollywood’s A-list.
Other notable wins went to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist and Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain. Big-budget entries like Dune: Part Two and Emilia Pérez also took home multiple awards, underscoring a year defined by cinematic diversity.
From its modest budget to its massive impact, Anora is a reminder that powerful storytelling still captivates—and triumphs—on the world’s biggest stage.
