• Film Anora wins five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker.
• Mikey Madison takes home the award for Best Actress, surpassing favorite Demi Moore.
• Adrien Brody wins Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, marking his second Oscar.
• Oscars show notable support for independent films amidst a turbulent year in Hollywood.

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, witnessed an impressive display as Anora clinched a total of five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sean Baker. The film, which tells the story of a sex worker who unexpectedly marries a wealthy client, stood out in a competitive landscape of traditional blockbusters like Wicked and Dune: Part Two.

Mikey Madison, at just 25 years old, took home the Oscar for Best Actress, delivering an emotional tribute to the sex worker community, stating, "I will continue to be an ally." Her victory was noted as a significant upset against industry veteran Demi Moore, who was favored to win for The Substance.

In another notable moment, Adrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his poignant performance in The Brutalist, marking his second Oscar since winning for The Pianist 22 years ago. Brody emphasized the importance of addressing the traumas resulting from war and oppression, saying, “If the past can teach us anything it’s to not let hate go unchecked.”

Other winners included Zoe Saldaña, who secured Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, and Kieran Culkin, who won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. Notably, the night also saw accolades for No Other Land, an eye-opening documentary about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the animated feature award went to the independent film Flow, marking a historic win for Latvian cinema.

The ceremony commenced with a vibrant performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who celebrated Los Angeles in the wake of recent wildfires. The event was especially poignant as it followed the recent passing of actor Gene Hackman, honored by Morgan Freeman during a heartfelt tribute.

Overall, this year’s Oscars highlighted a remarkable support for indie films amidst economic challenges within the film industry, as Baker proclaimed, "Long live independent film!" during his acceptance speech.

For full coverage of the Oscars and complete winners list, visit AP News.