17 Mar

Indie Films Shine at 97th Academy Awards as “Anora” Takes Top Honors

The 97th Academy Awards marked a turning point for independent cinema, with Sean Baker’s “Anora” winning five Oscars, including Best Picture. The film, a bold portrayal of sex work, also earned Baker awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. Mikey Madison’s Best Actress win came as a surprise, beating out industry veteran Demi Moore.

Another indie standout, “The Brutalist,” won three Oscars, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody, who claimed his second Academy Award. The film was also recognized for its cinematography and score. Brody’s acceptance speech emphasized the importance of unity and learning from history, as he urged audiences to reject hate and division.

The night also saw a diverse range of winners. “Wicked” won for Production Design and Costume Design, while Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” took home Best Song and Best Supporting Actress. “Dune: Part Two” secured awards for Sound and Visual Effects. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain,” and “Flow,” an independent Latvian film about a courageous cat, claimed Best Animated Feature, triumphing over major studio contenders.

With “Anora” and “The Brutalist” leading the charge, the 97th Academy Awards underscored the industry’s growing embrace of bold storytelling and international talent, proving that indie films can stand tall among Hollywood’s biggest productions.