Oscars 2025: Independent film Anora stuns with Best Picture win; Demi Moore snubbed for Best Actress

“I want to recognise the thoughtful intelligent beautiful breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honoured to be recognised alongside all of you. This is a dream come true.”

Finally, she thanked the film’s director Sean Baker. “I adore you. This is all because of you, thank you.”

Baker, accepting the Best Picture award, told the room of the film’s meagre US$6 million ($10.7m) budget, and that the win was a testament to the power of independent cinema.

He had earlier accepted both the Best Director and Best Original Screenplay awards, giving Anora a clean sweep of major gongs.

In all of his speeches, Baker referenced the failing theatre climate and gave what he described as a “war cry” to filmmakers and patrons.

“Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theatre. In a time when the world is becoming more and more divided, [going to the movies] is more crucial than ever,” he said.

“Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen, I know I will. Parents, introduce your children to movies in the movie theatre. Let’s keep the movie-going tradition alive and well.”

The Brutalist, Conclave and Emilia Perezwere among the other films vying for the coveted Best Picture.

Although The Brutalist’s Adrien Brody scooped up his second ever Oscar for his performance in the four-hour post-war epic (which also won Best Cinematography and Best Score), the film itself couldn’t quite match its earlier Golden Globe Best Picture win.

As exit music started to play during his heartfelt speech, veteran actor Brody, who previously won an Oscar for playing Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman in The Pianist (2002), asked them to “please turn it off”.

“I pray for a happier and a healthier and a more inclusive world,” he finished. “If the past can teach us anything, it’s to not let hate go unchecked.”

Sadly, the New Zealand contingent of visual effects wizards from Wellington’s Wētā FX, who worked on three of the Best Visual Effects nominated films, missed out on the top prize to the artists of Dune: Part 2.

Despite this, there will no doubt be plenty of proud supporters at home. The crew’s three nominations for work on Better Man, Alien: Romulus, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes saw the most individual nominations in the company’s history.

Controversial musical Emilia Perez missed out on most of the major awards it was nominated for, with the exception of a Best Supporting Actress win for Zoe Saldana, who burst into tears while accepting her award.

“I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands,” she said.

“I’m the first American of Dominican origin to receive an Academy Award and I will not be the last.”

The night was hosted without any major incident of gaffe by host Conan O’Brien.

Major tributes included an emotional memorial by Morgan Freeman for his recently deceased friend Gene Hackman, and a standing ovation for the first responders of the recent California wildfires, which caused a delay in the ceremony date.

Check out the Herald’s live coverage and a full list of winners and nominees below:

Best Picture

Best Director

Actor in a Leading Role

Actress in a Leading Role

Actor in a Supporting Role

Actress in a Supporting Role

Animated Feature Film

Cinematography

Animated Short Film

Documentary Feature Film

Documentary Short Film

Film Editing

International Feature Film

Costume Design

Live Action Short Film

Makeup and Hairstyling

Original Score

Original Song

Adapted Screenplay

Original Screenplay

Production Design

Sound

Visual Effects