The 97th Academy Awards concluded on Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrating the best in film. The big winner of the night was Sean Baker's "Anora," a poignant and often humorous story of a New York sex worker who unexpectedly marries a wealthy Russian client. The film garnered five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, Best Original Screenplay for Sean Baker, and Best Film Editing also for Sean Baker. Baker's four individual wins tied Walt Disney’s 1954 record for the most individual wins in a single year. "Anora," made on a modest $6 million budget, triumphed over competitors such as "Conclave," "The Brutalist," and the blockbuster musical "Wicked."

Sean Baker, known for his films centered on marginalized communities, emphasized the importance of independent filmmaking in his acceptance speech. "If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof," he stated. Mikey Madison, in a surprise win for Best Actress, expressed her gratitude and acknowledged the sex worker community, vowing to continue being an ally. "I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me," Madison said. "To be here standing in this room today is really incredible."

In other major awards, Adrien Brody secured his second Best Actor Oscar for his role in "The Brutalist," where he portrays a Jewish immigrant architect chasing the American dream. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for "A Real Pain," and Zoe Saldana took home Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Emilia Perez."

In the international categories, Brazil's "I'm Still Here" won Best International Feature Film, while "Flow," a dialogue-free animated film from Latvia, claimed the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Gints Zilbalodis, the Latvian filmmaker behind "Flow," highlighted the film's message of overcoming differences and working together. "We’re all in the same boat, we must overcome our differences and find ways to work together — thank you," Zilbalodis said upon accepting his statuette. He further elaborated that the story reflects his own experience of learning to collaborate after initially working independently.

"Flow" tells the story of animals surviving a disaster, focusing on a solitary black cat who joins an unlikely menagerie. Made on a budget of $3.6 million, the film has become the most-viewed film in Latvian history, surpassing even "Avatar" and "Titanic" in viewership within the country.

Other notable wins included Peter Straughan for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Conclave," Paul Tazewell for Best Costume Design for "Wicked," and Nathan Crowley and Lee Sanders for Best Production Design, also for "Wicked." "The Substance" won for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and the Best Original Song went to Clement Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard for “El Mal” from “Emilia Perez.”

"Anora's" journey to the Oscars began at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or. The film's director, Sean Baker, is known for his neo-realist filmmaking style, often incorporating humor into his narratives. Baker and Madison have used their acceptance speeches to advocate for the destigmatization and decriminalization of sex work, acknowledging the community's contributions to their work.

The 97th Academy Awards celebrated a diverse range of films, highlighting both independent and international productions. The wins for "Anora" and "Flow" underscore the importance of unique storytelling and the power of film to connect with audiences worldwide.