On this Sunday, March 2, the global film community turned its attention to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where “Anora” was crowned the winner of the Best Picture Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Sean Baker, the film—a blend of romantic comedy and drama—outshone heavy contenders like “Emilia Pérez,” “The Brutalist,” and “Conclave,” claiming the night’s most coveted statuette in a race full of twists and surprises. “Anora”’s triumph caps a remarkable journey, having already secured the Palme d’Or at Cannes and key awards like the Directors Guild of America, cementing its dominance this awards season. The story, centered on Ani, a New York stripper played by Mikey Madison, who embarks on a modern fairy tale with the son of a Russian oligarch, captivated Academy voters and now joins the rare ranks of films like “Parasite” and “Marty” as the third to win both Cannes and the Best Picture Oscar.
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, was filled with emotional highs and tense moments, with “Anora” collecting four awards throughout the night, including Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The Best Picture win came after a fierce campaign that gained momentum in recent months, bolstered by critical acclaim and support from influential guilds. Mikey Madison, nominated for Best Actress but edged out by Fernanda Torres of “Ainda estou aqui,” shone as the film’s heart, earning warm applause from the audience. Brazil also celebrated, with “Ainda estou aqui” taking Best International Feature Film, underscoring Latin America’s strong presence at the event.
Despite its modest budget compared to blockbuster nominees like “Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked,” “Anora” stood out for its raw authenticity and Baker’s bold storytelling, known for spotlighting marginalized characters. The victory signals a growing Academy trend toward honoring original, independent narratives, a move cheered by filmmakers and fans worldwide. The night also saw significant wins for other films, such as “The Brutalist” with three awards, but it was “Anora” that emerged as the standout in an unpredictable edition.
Now that’s a fairy-tale ending! Congratulations to Sean Baker on winning Best Directing for ANORA. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/byyQyxfW4R
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 3, 2025
A winning streak from Cannes to Hollywood
“Anora”’s journey kicked off last May when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and clinched the Palme d’Or, the event’s top prize. The tale of Ani, a stripper who impulsively marries Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch portrayed by Mark Eydelshteyn, grabbed attention with its unique mix of sharp humor and human drama. Sean Baker, who also wrote and edited the film, delivered an auteur-driven vision that resonated globally, propelling “Anora” toward Oscar glory. Post-Cannes, the film racked up wins at the Critics Choice Awards and Producers Guild of America, clear indicators of its frontrunner status.
On the Oscar red carpet, Mikey Madison turned heads in a red Rodarte gown, joined by Baker and co-stars like Yura Borisov, nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Madison, who immersed herself in the world of sex workers to craft her role, dedicated her nominations to the community that inspired the story, a move that deepened the film’s emotional impact. “Anora”’s campaign also featured special screenings for strippers in New York and Los Angeles, where attendees cheered by stomping their platform heels—a moment that went viral online.
A night of shocks at the Dolby Theatre
The 97th Academy Awards saw a fiercely contested Best Picture race, with ten nominees spanning diverse genres and styles. “Emilia Pérez,” with 13 nominations, started as an early favorite but faded amid controversy over old tweets from its star, Karla Sofía Gascón. “Conclave,” a BAFTA winner, and “The Brutalist,” boosted by Adrien Brody’s Best Actor win, were also in contention, yet “Anora” won over voters with its gripping story and flawless direction, announced as the victor around 11 p.m. local time.
Sean Baker shines as multi-winner
Sean Baker emerged as a standout of the night, taking home three personal Oscars: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing, plus sharing Best Picture as a producer. At 54, the American filmmaker, celebrated for works like “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” solidified his status as a trailblazing talent. Accepting his directing award from Quentin Tarantino, Baker thanked his team and emphasized the value of spotlighting overlooked characters like Ani in his storytelling.
Baker’s Best Director win came in a tough field featuring Jacques Audiard of “Emilia Pérez” and Brady Corbet of “The Brutalist.” His knack for blending humor and drama, paired with dynamic editing that keeps “Anora”’s pace brisk, earned widespread praise. The Best Original Screenplay award honored the film’s sharp, memorable dialogue, while Best Editing recognized Baker’s technical precision in shaping the final cut.
Mikey Madison and the power of Ani
At 25, Mikey Madison became a breakout star of the awards season with her portrayal of Ani. Though she didn’t win Best Actress—losing to Fernanda Torres—she earned her first Oscar nod and dazzled with a performance balancing vulnerability and resilience. Her work in “Anora” was pivotal to its success, bringing depth to a woman navigating love, ambition, and survival in a harsh world.
Madison had already clinched the BAFTA for Best Actress, raising hopes for an Oscar win. She shares the screen with Mark Eydelshteyn as the impulsive Ivan and Yura Borisov as the henchman Igor, also nominated for Best Supporting Actor but outdone by Kieran Culkin of “A Real Pain.” The cast’s chemistry elevated “Anora,” making it a crowd and critic favorite throughout the season.
Awards season timeline
“Anora”’s road to the Oscar was packed with key milestones. Here’s the rundown:
- May: premieres at Cannes and wins the Palme d’Or;
- October: hits U.S. theaters, earning modest box office but rave reviews;
- January: secures Critics Choice and Producers Guild wins;
- February: Sean Baker takes the Directors Guild of America award;
- March: claims four Oscars, including Best Picture.
The film also debuted on Hulu in early March, broadening its reach post-Oscar win.
Fun facts about “Anora” and the Oscars
“Anora”’s triumph brought some intriguing stats and trivia to light:
- Third film to win both the Palme d’Or and Best Picture Oscar, after “Parasite” (2019) and “Marty” (1955);
- Sean Baker is the first director since the Coen Brothers in 2008 (“No Country for Old Men”) to win Best Director, Original Screenplay, and Editing in one night;
- Made on an estimated 6-million-dollar budget, far below rivals like “Dune: Part Two” at over 190 million.
The win also sparked renewed talk about funding for indie films, with Baker stressing the need to support filmmakers outside the big studio system in his acceptance speech.
Global buzz after the win
Following the Best Picture announcement, “Anora” took over social media, with fans hailing the victory of a film that started as an underdog. In New York, strippers who inspired the story hosted watch parties, while the cast celebrated at a post-Oscar event in Los Angeles. International media spotlighted the Academy’s pick of an indie gem, with headlines praising Sean Baker’s boldness and Mikey Madison’s charm.
Brazil also had a big night, with “Ainda estou aqui” winning Best International Feature and Fernanda Torres taking Best Actress. The dual Brazilian wins, alongside “Anora”’s success, highlighted the power of auteur-driven cinema this year. The film’s streaming release is expected to boost its popularity in the coming days.
Stats and indie cinema’s big moment
With four Oscars, “Anora” tied “The Brutalist” as the night’s most awarded film, but its Best Picture win stole the show. It grossed around 30 million dollars worldwide pre-Oscar, a figure likely to rise with the “Academy effect.” For indie cinema, the win is a milestone, proving original stories with tight budgets can hold their own against mega-productions.
The night also saw “Wicked” snag technical awards like Best Costume Design and “Emilia Pérez” win Best Original Score. Yet, “Anora” stood out as the emblem of an evening that embraced narrative diversity and fearless artistry.
