ECNETNews reports that Anora has secured the 2025 Academy Award for Best Picture. This captivating comic drama, directed by Sean Baker, tells the story of a dancer and sex worker from Brooklyn who elopes with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film triumphed over notable contenders such as A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, Wicked, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, and The Substance.
The evening’s accolades for Best Picture were accepted by producers Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker. Coco expressed gratitude, stating, “We made this movie for six million dollars shooting on location in New York with about 40 crew members! They’re all back in New York; this is for you guys… If you’re making independent films, keep doing it. This is proof that we need more!”
Quan reflected on their journey, noting, “I don’t know how this can be real life. This has been an incredible, impossible journey for the past 10 months. We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts. To all the dreamers and young filmmakers out there: tell the stories you want to tell, the stories that matter to you. You won’t regret it.”
Baker, both the director and screenwriter, declared, “Long live independent film!” He also won the awards for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay earlier in the evening.
The film Anora also garnered wins for Best Actress, awarded to Mikey Madison, and Best Film Editing. Additionally, Yura Borisov received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
This year marked a unique moment, as none of the directors nominated had previously helmed a Best Picture winner. The most recognized director among nominees was James Mangold for A Complete Unknown, while multi-nominee Denis Villeneuve went home empty-handed. Notably, this was the first year since 1969 that two musicals, Emilia Pérez and Wicked, received nominations.
Last year’s Best Picture winner was Oppenheimer. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2025 Academy Awards from ECNETNews.
