Los Angeles – The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 10, 2025, marked a triumphant night for independent cinema as Sean Baker’s Anora swept five of the most prestigious Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
The success of Anora—a nuanced drama praised for its intimate storytelling and cultural specificity—signals a broader industry trend: a return to emotionally grounded, character-driven films that challenge blockbuster formulas. With this recognition, director Sean Baker further cements his place as a distinct voice in contemporary American cinema.
Diversity and Global Recognition
One of the night’s historical moments came with Paul Tazewell’s win for Wicked in Best Costume Design, making him the first Black man to take home the honor in this category. The win highlights the Academy’s incremental efforts to reflect diversity across creative disciplines.
In the Best Supporting Actor category, Kieran Culkin delivered a breakthrough performance in A Real Pain, portraying a troubled cousin on a Holocaust-themed family tour in Poland. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, contributing to the film’s broader acclaim through its musical and political layers.
Global Cinema’s Continued Rise
Latin America and Europe were well represented: Brazil’s I’m Still Here, directed by Walter Salles, won Best International Feature, while France’s Emilia Pérez also secured Best Original Song for “El Mal.”
Other standout wins included Daniel Blumberg’s haunting score for The Brutalist, and Lol Crawley’s cinematography for the same film, adding to its critical recognition alongside Best Actor for Adrian Brody.
Key Oscar 2025 Winners Overview:
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Actor: Adrian Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora, Sean Baker
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave, Peter Straughan
- Best International Feature: I’m Still Here, Brazil
- Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
- Best Animated Feature: Flow
- Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
- Best Costume Design: Wicked, Paul Tazewell
- Best Film Editing: Anora
- Best Production Design: Wicked
- Best Original Score: The Brutalist
- Best Original Song: “El Mal” (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
- Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
- Best Documentary Short: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
- Best Animated Short: In the Shadow of the Cypress
- Best Live Action Short: I’m Not a Robot
Industry Reflections
The 2025 Oscars reinforce a shifting dynamic in the global film economy: legacy studios now share the stage with streaming platforms, indie labels, and international co-productions. As traditional boundaries blur, audiences are increasingly embracing emotionally resonant narratives from a wider array of voices.
Anora’s dominance this year is not just an awards story—it’s a signal of the industry’s evolving compass toward authenticity, diversity, and craft over spectacle.
