Sean Baker has won best director at the Oscars for “Anora,” the story of a Brooklyn exotic dancer who marries the impetuous son of a Russian oligarch.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Anora,” a strip club Cinderella story without the fairy tale ending, was crowned best picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, handing Sean Baker’s gritty, Brooklyn-set screwball farce Hollywood’s top prize.

In reality, what the Oscars are truly all about is the speech. For two glorious minutes, an industry engineered to make you watch them is forced to watch you instead. Winners gaze out upon a sea of their peers and closest friends as they hiss obscenities through rictus smiles.

"Distributors, please focus first and foremost on the theatrical releases of your films," said the 'Anora' during his acceptance speech.

The 97th Academy Awards are upon us. Follow our live updating list throughout the 2025 Oscars to see all the winners, as they're announced.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Sean Baker accepts the award for best original screenplay for “Anora” during the Oscars on Sunday, March ...

Smaller movies didn’t mean smaller viewer numbers for the Oscars. An estimated 19.7 million viewers watched Sunday night’s 97th Academy Awards ceremony, the biggest audience in five years.

Adrien Brody took home his second leading man Oscar for “The Brutalist,” Mikey Madison took home the best lead actress statuette and “Anora” was crowned best movie on its way to five awards Sunday.

The red carpet is rolled out and ready to go as Hollywood’s biggest stars make their way to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angles for Sunday’s Oscars. Everything you need to know about tonight’s ceremony — 5:00 p.m. What our film critic thought about each best picture nominee — 4:30 p.m.

When Sean Baker’s “Anora” swept the 97th Academy Awards, its five wins, including best picture, heralded a different kind of Oscar winner.

Sean Baker, winner of the awards for best original screenplay, best film editing, best director, and best picture for "Anora," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Sean Baker, winner of the awards for best original ... March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday ...