Independent film “Anora” walked away Sunday night with five Academy Awards while Zoe Saldaña made history with her win for actress in a supporting role in “Emilia Pérez.” Entertainment Tonight cohosts Nischelle Turner and Kevin Frazier have more.

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“Anora” won Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars, capping off an incredible night for the indie film. Here’s a look at some of the night’s big winners: Sean Baker took home four awards—Best Director, Original Screenplay, Editing, and a share of Best Picture—tying a record set by Walt Disney. Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her standout role in “Anora,” while Adrien Brody earned Best Actor for “The Brutalist.” Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin snagged Best Supporting Actress and Actor for “Emilia Pérez” and “A Real Pain,” respectively. What a night for cinema!

This reflects the key wins from the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, based on the available context. Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!

“Anora” Wins Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars

“Anora” took home the top prize at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, marking a huge win for indie cinema. Here’s a breakdown of some of the night’s biggest winners:

Sean Baker’s Record-Tying Night

Sean Baker dominated with four wins for “Anora”—Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and a share of Best Picture—matching a record set by Walt Disney.

Mikey Madison Shines as Best Actress

Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her unforgettable performance in “Anora,” cementing her as a breakout star.

Adrien Brody Claims Best Actor

Adrien Brody earned Best Actor for his powerful role in “The Brutalist,” delivering a career-defining performance.

Supporting Standouts: Saldaña and Culkin

Zoe Saldaña snagged Best Supporting Actress for “Emilia Pérez,” while Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain,” rounding out a stellar night.

Here’s an FAQ based on the topic “‘Anora’ won Best Picture at the Oscars. Here’s a look at some of the night’s big winners,” reflecting the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025:


FAQ: “Anora” Wins Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars and Other Big Winners

1. When and where did the 2025 Oscars take place?
The 97th Academy Awards were held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

2. What film won Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars?
“Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, won Best Picture. It’s a romantic dramedy about a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, praised for its mix of humor, heart, and gritty realism.

3. How many Oscars did “Anora” win?
“Anora” won five Oscars out of six nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Original Screenplay (Sean Baker), Best Editing (Sean Baker), and Best Actress (Mikey Madison).

4. Who is Sean Baker, and why was his night historic?
Sean Baker is the writer, director, editor, and producer of “Anora.” He made history by winning four individual Oscars in one night—Best Director, Original Screenplay, Editing, and a share of Best Picture—tying a record set by Walt Disney in 1954 (though Disney’s wins were for different films). This made Baker the first person to win four Oscars for a single film.

5. Who won Best Actress, and was it a surprise?
Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role as the titular character in “Anora.” It was considered a mild upset, as Demi Moore (“The Substance”) had been a strong contender after dominating precursor awards, though Madison’s BAFTA win hinted at her momentum.

6. Who won Best Actor?
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for “The Brutalist,” his second Oscar in this category (his first was for “The Pianist” in 2003). He played a Hungarian-Jewish architect rebuilding his life in the U.S. post-World War II.

7. Who won the supporting acting awards?

  • Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña won for “Emilia Pérez,” her first Oscar, making history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an acting Oscar.
  • Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin won for “A Real Pain,” a widely expected victory after his strong awards season run.

8. What other films were big winners of the night?

  • “The Brutalist”: Won three Oscars—Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Cinematography, and Original Score.
  • “Dune: Part Two”: Won two—Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
  • “Emilia Pérez”: Won two—Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña) and Best Original Song (“El Mal”).
  • “Wicked”: Won two—Best Costume Design (Paul Tazewell, the first Black man to win this award) and Production Design.

9. Who hosted the 2025 Oscars?
Comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, his first time emceeing the Oscars. He brought humor with a light political touch, including a quip about “Anora” showing “someone standing up to a powerful Russian.”

10. Were there any notable moments or surprises?

  • Sean Baker’s four-Oscar haul and advocacy for theatrical cinema stood out.
  • The “No Other Land” documentary team (Israeli-Palestinian filmmakers) won Best Documentary Feature and made a powerful call for action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • A tribute to Gene Hackman, who passed away the previous week, was led by Morgan Freeman.
  • Hulu’s livestream cut out for some users just before the major awards, causing frustration.

11. Did any other categories have standout winners?

  • Best International Feature: “I’m Still Here” (Brazil) won, beating “Emilia Pérez.”
  • Best Animated Feature: “Flow” (Latvia) upset bigger studios like Pixar and Disney.
  • Best Adapted Screenplay: “Conclave” won for Peter Straughan, its only award despite high expectations.

12. How did “Anora” perform leading up to the Oscars?
“Anora” gained momentum late in the season, winning key precursors like the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Critics Choice Best Picture awards in February 2025, despite earlier losses at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

13. What was the significance of “Anora” winning Best Picture?
Its victory highlighted a shift toward indie cinema at the Oscars, reflecting a more diverse voting body post-#OscarsSoWhite. With a modest $40.9 million box office, it’s among the lowest-grossing Best Picture winners, emphasizing artistic merit over commercial success.

14. Where can I find the full list of winners?
Major outlets like NPR, The New York Times, Deadline, and PEOPLE published complete lists of the 2025 Oscar winners shortly after the ceremony concluded on March 2, 2025.


"Anora" won best picture at the Oscars. Here's a look at some of the night's big winners.

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