Opinion: A Hectic Night at the 2025 Oscars Ends with Independent Cinema as the Biggest Winner

The 97th Academy Awards took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, marking one of the most significant nights in the film industry. As the event concluded, it not only celebrated the achievements of filmmakers but also highlighted the ongoing evolution within the cinema landscape.

In previous years, the favorites for Best Picture have often been quite obvious. For instance, "Everything Everywhere All At Once" made a significant impact in 2023, while "Oppenheimer" stood out as the frontrunner for the following year, 2024. However, the 2025 Oscars brought with it an exhilarating competition, particularly among films like "Conclave," "The Brutalist," and "Anora." As the awards season progressed, these films vied for attention from critics and audiences alike.

In a thrilling turn of events, "Anora" ultimately secured the prestigious title of Best Picture. The film’s director, Sean Baker, achieved notable recognition by breaking the record for the most Oscars awarded to one person in a single ceremony for the same film. Baker clinched victories in three categories: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing for his work on this acclaimed comedy-drama.

Despite expectations leaning towards Demi Moore for her much-talked-about performance in "The Substance," the Best Actress award went to Mikey Madison, a star of "Anora," at just 25 years of age. This outcome surprised many and was considered one of the biggest highlights of the evening.

Aside from "Anora"'s triumphs, the night had its share of anticipated outcomes as well. Kieran Culkin was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in "A Real Pain," though his acceptance speech got cut short due to an unexpected slip of the tongue. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody bagged the Best Actor award for his performance in "The Brutalist," delivering a lengthy speech that caused some disruptions in the broadcast.

Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony, employing a mix of pop culture humor, including nods to famous rapper feuds. However, the evening took a turn when O’Brien made a comment about Karla Sofia Gascón, the star of "Emilia Pérez," which has faced criticism recently.

"Emilia Pérez" received 13 nominations but fell short at the ceremony, managing only to win for Zoe Saldaña’s role as Best Supporting Actress and for its song, "El Mal." Many expected more recognition for the film, leading to conversations around its Oscar-bait status.

As always, the awards season came with its share of perceived snubs. Demi Moore, widely predicted to win Best Actress, left the ceremony without the award. Furthermore, "Conclave" secured only a single win for Best Adapted Screenplay, while "Nickel Boys" left empty-handed. Notably, the hit film "Challengers" did not receive a single nomination, despite popular acclaim for its original score, and even "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" failed to make an impression in the Best Visual Effects category.

Despite the mixed outcomes and disappointments for various films, the night ultimately belonged to independent cinema, personified by the success of "Anora." Sean Baker has passionately advocated for independent films and used his platform to stress the importance of supporting independent movie theaters, especially in light of recent industry declines.

In his acceptance speech for Best Director, Baker addressed the audience, saying, "Movie theaters, especially independently owned ones, are struggling, and it’s up to us to support them. During the pandemic, we lost nearly 1,000 screens in the U.S., and if this trend continues, we risk losing an essential part of our culture. Filmmakers, continue creating films for the big screen; I certainly will."

Although "Anora" may not resonate with everyone as the favorite movie of 2025, its Best Picture accolade serves as a beacon for the independent film sector, showing that even in a market dominated by mainstream cinema, there's room for unique storytelling and compelling narratives to shine.

Oscars, Cinema, Awards