“Brutal,” “Anora,” “Emilia Perez.”
The 97th Academy Awards were wrapped up and was a historic night of independent films. Sean Baker’s Anora is a bold drama about the whirlwind marriage to the Russian oligarch son of a Brooklyn sex worker, dominated the night with five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editor and Best Actress by Mikey Madison.
Baker, who became the first filmmaker to win four Oscars for the same film, used his best picture speech to encourage aspiring storytellers. “If you’re trying to make an independent film, just keep doing it. You need more. This is proof,” he said.
Adrian Brody and Mikey Madison scores
Adrian Brody brought back the best actor in his brutal role, marking his second Oscar victory 22 years later (he previously won in his performance as a pianist). Playing the visionary architect navigating post-war America, Brody gave an emotional speech touching on resilience and acceptance. “I represent the trauma that remains here again, the war and systemic oppression, anti-Semitism and racism, and other consequences,” Brody said. “I pray for a healthier, happier, more inclusive world. And if the past can teach us anything, I think it’s a reminder to not check on hatred. I love you, and I’m grateful to you. Let’s fight for the right thing.”
Meanwhile, Demi Moore (Material) has long been considered a front runner, so Mikey Madison’s best actress victory surprised many. Visibly shocked, Madison joked, calling the victory “a dream come true.” She also voiced her support for the sex worker community, a central theme for Anora.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldanya cement Oscar’s run
Kieran Culkin (Real Pain) and Zoe Saldanya (Emilia Perez) concluded the dominant awards season by garnering the best supporting actors and best supporting actresses, respectively. Culkin, who wipes out categories, keeps things light and jokes with his wife.
Torn on the stage, Saldanya expressed her pride in her legacy. I am the first American of Dominican origins to embrace the Academy Awards. And I know it’s not the last one. โ
Baker ties up Disney, “Brutalists” win big in the craft category
With his four Oscars, Baker tied the Walt Disney record with most wins in one night. While Anora led the night, the Brutals were intimately behind, with Brody’s victory, as well as the best cinematography and the best original score.
Dune: Part 2 continued its technical advantage, achieving the best sound and best visual effects.
International and Animation Milestones
Brazil recorded its first Oscar victory in history. In another major milestone, Latvia won the first best animation feature Oscar on Flow. This is an incredible victory over the Wild Robot.
Meanwhile, other lands, documentaries directed by a group of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, have achieved the finest documentary features that highlight the power of global storytelling.
Anora’s Indie Victory and Theatrical Battle Cry
Despite the massive haul of Oscars, Anora stands as one of the winners of the best picture most sold in history. This is a testament to the academy’s shift to celebrating independent filmmaking. Baker closes the night with a passionate plea to support the cinema.
“During the pandemic, we have lost nearly 1,000 screens in the US and we continue to lose them regularly. If we don’t reverse this trend, we will lose an important part of our culture,” he said. “This is my fight cry. Filmmaker: Keep making movies for the big screen. I know I’ll do that. Distributor: Focus on the theatrical releases of the film first and foremost.”
All 2025 Oscar winners and nominees are:
Best photos
Anora – Winner is a brutal complete unknown Conclave dune: Part 2 Emilia Perez
The best director
Sean Baker – Anora – Winner Brady Corbett – Brutal James Mangold – The Completely Unknown Jack Audido – Emilia Perez Coraly Farsey – Matter
The best actor
Adrien Brody – Brutal – Winner Timothy Chalametto – The Completely Unknown Colman Domingo – Singing Ralph Fiennes – Conclave Sebastian Stan – Apprentice
The best actress
Mikey Madison – Anora – Winner Cynthia Eribo – Evil Cara Sofia Gascon – Emilia Perez Demi Moore – Matter Fernanda Torres – I’m still here
Best Supporting Actor
Kieran Culkin – Real Pain – Winner Yura Borisov – Anora Edward Norton – Pierce of the Completely Unknown Man – Brutal Jeremy Strong – Apprentice
Best Supporting Actress
Zoe Saldanya – Emilia Perez – Winner Monica Barbaro – The Completely Unknown Ariana Grande – The Evil Felicity Jones – Brutalist Isabella Rossellini – Conclave
The best original script
Anora – Winner is Brutalist A: Real Pain September 5th
Best adapted script
Conclave – Winner Completely Unknown Emilia Perez Nickel Boys Singing
Best International Features
I’m still here (Brazil) – The winner of the girl with the needle is the seed of the sacred fig flow
The best movie shoot
Brutalist – Winner’s Dunes: Part 2 Emilia Perez Maria Nosfertu
Best Edit
Anora – Brutalist Conclave Emilia Perez won the Wicked
Best original score
Brutalist – Winner Conclave Emilia Perez made wild robot evil
Best animation features
Flow – The Memoirs of Wallace and Gromit, Winner Inside Out Snail: Revenge
Best visual effects
Dunes: Part 2 – Winner Alien: Romulus Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Production design
Evil – Winner of the Brutalist Concrave Dune: Part 2 Nosferatu
Best costume design
Evil – Winner is a completely unknown Conclave gladiator II Nosferatu
Makeup and hairstyle
Substance – another man of winner Emilia Pereznos Feratwikid
The best sound
Dunes: Part 2 – Winners make Emilia Perez the evil robot of the totally unknown
Music (original song)
Emilia Perez’s “El Mar” – Winner. Music by Clement de Cor and Kamille. Clement Docor, Camille and Jacques Audido’s lyrics include Emilia Perez’s song “Me Camino” to “The Journey” and “Elton John’s “Never Too Late” to “Never Too Late”: Never Too Late”.
Best Live Action Short
I’m not a robot – the winner wins the lien anuja the man who couldn’t keep silent
Best Animation Short
In the shadows of Cypress – Winner’s beautiful male magic candle wanders the yak in wonder!
Documentary feature film
No other lands – Winner’s Black Box Diaries Porcelain War Soundtrack Coup d’etatha Truck
Documentary short film
The only girl in the orchestra – I’m ready to die the winner, the beating heart’s wordden instrument
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