Sean Baker’s “Anora,” dominated the 97th Academy Awards, winning five out of six nominations.
Photo: Anora
The prestigious annual awards ceremony, which was held on March 3 (Manila time), recognized outstanding achievements in film across various categories.
With only a $6 million budget, “Anora” emerged as a dark horse in the awards ceremony as it clinched the top categories, including “Best Picture,” “Best Director,” “Best Actress,” “Best Original Screenplay,” and “Best Editing.” The romance-drama film follows a young woman who gets a chance at a Cinderella story when she marries the son of an oligarch.
Mikey Madison, the film’s female protagonist, won this year’s “Best Actress” award. For this category, she bested Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofia Gascón, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres.
“I also want to recognize and honor the sex worker community, I will continue to support and be an ally,” Mikey said in her acceptance speech. “All of the incredible people, the women I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this incredible experience.”
The 25-year-old breakthrough actress is also the third youngest “Best Actress” winner in Oscars history, following Marlee Matlin, who won at 21, and Jennifer Lawrence at 22.
Previously, “Anora” won the 2024 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Meanwhile, “Wicked,” “Emilia Pérez,” and “Dune: Part Two,” tied with two wins each.
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Picture: Anora
Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
Best Original Screenplay: Anora
Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
Best Original Score: The Brutalist
Best Original Song: El Mal (Emilia Pérez)
Best Editing: Anora
Best Production Design: Wicked
Best Costume Design: Wicked
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
Best International Feature: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
Best Animated Feature: Flow
Best Animated Short: In the Shadow of the Cypress
Best Live-Action Short: I’m Not a Robot
Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
Best Documentary Short: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
ALSO READ: LIST: The Official Nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards
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