Hollywood — The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night to remember as Anora, an intimate indie drama with unexpected emotional depth, swept the Oscars with five major wins—including the coveted Best Picture title.
Directed by Sean Baker, Anora chronicles the story of a Brooklyn sex worker and her whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film earned Baker four personal wins: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Picture.
“I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” Baker said, acknowledging the passion and grit of the cast and crew behind the project. “This was made with the blood, sweat, and tears of incredible indie artists.”
Rising star Mikey Madison took home the Best Actress award, marking a breakthrough moment for the 25-year-old whose performance was widely praised for its vulnerability and authenticity.
Other notable winners included The Brutalist, which earned three awards including Best Actor for Adrien Brody, and A Real Pain, which saw Kieran Culkin win Best Supporting Actor. Genre standouts Dune: Part Two, Wicked, and Emilia Pérez also made strong showings with two wins each.
The nearly four-hour ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, struck a balance between celebration and reflection, with standout musical performances and heartfelt speeches from first-time winners.
In a year dominated by big-budget franchises and streaming wars, the success of Anora reaffirms the enduring impact of personal, grassroots storytelling in modern cinema.
