Anora wins best film, director, and actor at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards

Sean Baker’s film Anora made a notable impression at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards, winning prestigious honors in three primary categories: Best Film, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actor for Mikey Madison. This achievement has led many to speculate that Anora might be a formidable contender at the forthcoming Academy Awards. The film, which narrates the story of a Brooklyn sex worker involved in an intense romance with the son of a Russian oligarch, has risen as a key favorite this awards season.

The Independent Spirit Awards, hosted in a tent by the beach in Santa Monica, California, recognize the best accomplishments in independent film and television. These awards are characterized by their relaxed, irreverent vibe, often contrasting the formal nature of the Academy Awards. Host Aidy Bryant humorously remarked that the event might be seen as “Hollywood’s third or fourth biggest night,” emphasizing its significant role in the industry.

In his acceptance speech for Best Director, Sean Baker gave a heartfelt address concerning the existing difficulties filmmakers encounter within the independent film sector. He expressed disappointment that the industry, which once supported riskier endeavors, has increasingly shifted towards more commercially viable projects.

Baker cautioned that independent films are in danger of becoming mere “calling card” projects, created solely to assist filmmakers in obtaining larger studio assignments. With clear frustration, he highlighted the necessity for systemic change, asserting that it is no longer feasible for filmmakers to “barely get by. ”

Anora faced intense rivalry in the Best Film category, with other prominent competitors such as Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror film I Saw the TV Glow, RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Nickel Boys, Greg Kwedar’s drama on incarceration, Sing Sing, and Coralie Fargeat’s body horror piece, The Substance. Despite the fierce competition, Anora emerged victorious, reflecting the film’s critical acclaim and increasing momentum.

Alongside Anora’s achievements, several other noteworthy individuals in the film industry were acknowledged. Kieran Culkin, viewed as a strong candidate for an Oscar, secured the Best Supporting Performance award for his part in A Real Pain. His director, co-star, and writer, Jesse Eisenberg, received Best Screenplay for the film chronicling the journey of two cousins who take a Holocaust tour in Poland. Culkin, who was not present at the ceremony due to personal circumstances, also missed his BAFTA win the week before. In spite of his absence, other Oscar nominees like Mikey Madison and Demi Moore were present at the event.

Madison, who had just recently earned the Best Actor award at the BAFTAs, faced competition from other remarkable talents in the Best Actor category at the Spirit Awards. The acting categories at the Spirit Awards are gender-neutral and encompass a varied range of nominees, including Colman Domingo from Sing Sing and Sebastian Stan from The Apprentice.

In a touching moment, Madison paused while heading to the stage to pet Demi Moore’s dog, Pilaf, a delightful interaction that underscored the camaraderie among the nominees.
The Best Documentary award was awarded to No Other Land, a compelling film by a Palestinian-Israeli collective focusing on the devastation of a village in the West Bank. Although it lacks distribution, the film has received considerable attention and is seen as a formidable candidate in the competitive Documentary Feature category at the Oscars.

At the same time, the Best International Film award was presented to Flow, a silent animated feature from Latvia that depicts the journey of a cat. Flow is also participating at the Oscars in both the International Film and Animated Feature categories, demonstrating the worldwide influence of the Spirit Awards.

While the Spirit Award winners do not always match the Academy’s choices, they frequently represent a growing agreement within the industry, as evidenced by the triumph of Everything Everywhere All at Once in recent years. The Spirit Awards restrict eligibility to films with budgets of $30 million or less, implying that higher-budget Oscar nominees like Wicked and Dune: Part Two were excluded from the competition.

In an emotional moment during the ceremony, Sean Wang accepted both Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay for his film Dìdi. Wang shared how meaningful it was to share the stage with Joan Chen, one of his film’s stars, who had been nominated for the same award 25 years prior for Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.

The Netflix hit Baby Reindeer also secured multiple awards, including Best Actor for Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, and Nava Mau. Mau, a transgender actor, gave an inspiring speech about the significance of solidarity among actors as they embark on the next phase of their careers. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know our strength,” Mau stated, recognizing the importance of visibility and representation within the industry.

In the television categories, Shōgun won Best New Scripted Series, while How to Die Alone took home the Best Ensemble award. Natasha Rothwell, the creator and star of How to Die Alone, offered an emotional speech when accepting the award. She fervently discussed the necessity for Black stories to be recognized and valued, emphasizing that visibility is not a luxury but an essential need.

The ceremony, which maintained a generally light-hearted vibe, also acknowledged the effects of the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles. Aidy Bryant encouraged those watching the event to assist in rebuilding the city by donating to the Film Independent Emergency Filmmaker Relief Fund, which provides grants to filmmakers impacted by the crisis.

A final homage was made to Josh Welsh, the long-serving president of Film Independent, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 62 following a battle with colon cancer. Bryant reflected on his legacy, praising him as a champion of independent filmmakers.
In a funny introduction, Bryant also teased a few of the nominees for the night, including Emma Stone, who had four films nominated that evening. “Even more significantly, her hair is now short,” Bryant joked, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Stone’s impact on the film industry was clear throughout the event, with Eisenberg recognizing her assistance in his acceptance speech for Best Screenplay.

Overall, the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards showcased the thrilling talent rising from independent cinema. With Anora at the forefront, the night also honored a varied assortment of films and performances, providing a preview of what’s ahead in the larger awards season.