Oscars 2025 recap: Biggest moments from the 97th Academy Awards

‘Anora’ filmmakers highlight independent filmmaking during best picture Oscar speech

The cast and filmmakers of “Anora” took the Oscars stage after winning the coveted award for best picture.

Alex Coco, Samantha Quan and Sean Baker accepted the award on the film’s behalf.

Coco encouraged independent filmmakers in his acceptance speech, saying, “We made this movie independently. If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof.”

Quan, in her acceptance speech, said, “We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts. To all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there, tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you, you will never regret it.”

Baker ended the night in saying, “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists — and long live independent film.”

Anora’ wins best picture Oscar

“Anora” won the Academy Award for best picture at the 2025 Oscars.

The award was presented by “When Harry Met Sally” co-stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Other films nominated in the category included “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Pérez,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nickel Boys,” “The Substance” and “Wicked.”

Mikey Madison says she will ‘continue to support and be an ally’ in acceptance speech

Mikey Madison thanked her family, the ‘Anora’ team and more in her best actress acceptance speech.

“I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today, is really incredible.”

She also honored the sex worker community, saying, “I will continue to support and be an ally.”

“All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience.”

She also praised her fellow nominees during her speech.

Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar

Mikey Madison won the Oscar for best actress for her performance in “Anora.”

This is Madison’s first nomination and first win.

The category was presented by last year’s best actress winner, “Poor Things” star Emma Stone.

Other nominees in the best actress race included Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked,” Karla Sofía Gascón for “Emilia Pérez,” Demi Moore for “The Substance” and Fernanda Torres for “I’m Still Here.”

Sean Baker urges people to visit movie theaters in acceptance speech

During his best director acceptance speech, Sean Baker thanked the academy and spoke about the importance of supporting movie theaters.

He urged people to visit independently owned movie theaters, pointing to the screens lost during the pandemic.

“Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,” he said. “Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, scream in fright together, perhaps sit in devastated silence together, and in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever. It’s a communal experience you simply don’t get at home. And right now, the theatergoing experience is under threat. Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters, are struggling, and it’s up to us to support them.”

Baker called the moviegoing experience “a vital part of our culture.”

He then vowed that he will continue making films for the big screen and urged parents to introduce their kids to feature films in the movie theater.

“Parents, introduce your children to feature films in movie theaters, and you’ll be molding the next generation of movie lovers and filmmakers,” he added. “And for all of us, when we can, please watch movies in the theater and let’s keep the great tradition of the moviegoing experience alive and well.”

He ended his speech by thanking his mom, whose birthday is also today.

Sean Baker wins best director Oscar for ‘Anora’

Sean Baker won the Oscar for best director for “Anora.”

Other nominees in the category included Brady Corbet for “The Brutalist,” James Mangold for “A Complete Unknown,” Jacques Audiard for “Emilia Pérez” and Coralie Fargeat for “The Substance.”

Adrien Brody says his Oscar ‘signifies a destination’ in acceptance speech

During his best actor acceptance speech, Adrien Brody thanked his team, the cast of “The Brutalist,” his family and more.

“Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous — and at certain moments, it is. But the one thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective, and no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away,” he said.

He said the award signified “a destination,” calling it “a chance to begin again and the opportunity to hopefully be fortunate enough so that the next 20 years of my life, that I can prove that I am worthy of such meaningful and important and relevant roles.”

He concluded by speaking about the film’s message.

“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and of othering, and I believe that — I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked,” he said.

Adrien Brody wins best actor Oscar

Adrien Brody won the Oscar for best actor for his performance in “The Brutalist.”

The award was presented by last year’s best actor winner, “Oppenheimer” star Cillian Murphy.

Other nominees in the best actor race included Timothée Chalamet for “A Complete Unknown,” Colman Domingo for “Sing Sing,” Ralph Fiennes for “Conclave” and Sebastian Stan for “The Apprentice.”