‘Anora’ Wins Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars, Capping a Huge Night

‘Anora’ defeated nine other candidates, including ‘The Brutalist’, ‘A Complete Unknown’, and ‘Dune: Part Two’, to win the coveted Best Picture prize at the 2025 Oscars.  The victory added to the film’s expanding list of honours, which already included Best Actress for Mikey Madison, and it was its fifth award of the evening.

 Alongside the actors and crew, film producer Alex Coco highlighted the moment’s importance for independent filmmaking as he accepted the award.  He explained that ‘Anora’ was created in New York City with a tiny staff and on a $6 million budget, and he dedicated the prize to the people who put in a lot of effort on the project.  He urged ambitious filmmakers to keep making independent films, describing the triumph as evidence that these kinds of tales are worthy of being heard.

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In her reflections on the bizarre process of making the movie, producer Samantha Quan thanked her family, the gifted actors, and the hardworking crew.  She urged aspiring filmmakers to express the tales that move them, telling them they would never regret it, and emphasized how the film was done with heart despite financial constraints.

 Sean Baker, the director and screenwriter, thanked the Academy for recognizing a genuinely independent picture as he wrapped up his remarks.  He expressed his support for independent filmmaking and paid homage to the independent artists who put their all into the project.

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Lead actress Mikey Madison previously won a BAFTA Award for her role in ‘Anora’, which tells the tale of a s*x worker in New York City who embarks on an unexpected, fairytale-like voyage.  Along with Best Picture, the movie earned Baker awards for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, and Yura Borisov was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

 Following its Best Picture win at the Critics Choice Awards last month, ‘Anora’ Oscar victory further cemented its status as a noteworthy picture throughout this year’s awards season.

–Farheen Ali