At the 97th Academy Awards, Sean Baker and the team behind Anora made history. Baker, already known for his bold, character-driven storytelling in independent cinema, walked away with an astonishing four Oscars—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
The win marked a major moment for independent film, proving that movies made outside the studio system can still command the biggest stage in Hollywood. As Baker took questions backstage, he was still processing the moment’s significance.
Social Realism and Storytelling That Matters
Baker’s films have long been rooted in social realism, capturing the lives of those on society’s margins with honesty and compassion. Anora is no different, and when asked about the genre’s influence on his work, Baker credited international cinema, from Filipino filmmaker Lino Brocka to British social realism.
“It’s a genre that has very much inspired my work,” Baker shared. “Social realism focuses on truth—it’s often character-driven and sometimes issue-based, shining a light on subjects that need to be spoken about.”
Yet Anora wasn’t a pure social realist film—it was a mix of genres, something Baker embraced as part of his creative evolution. “We were definitely infusing social realism, but we were also genre-hopping in many ways,” he explained.
A Victory for Independent Film
Baker’s triumph was also a win for independent cinema, as both Anora and the Best Animated Feature winner, Flow, were indie films. Competing against big-budget Hollywood spectacles like Wicked, Baker acknowledged the uphill battle indie filmmakers face.
“We always jump into these projects knowing we’re competing with films that have budgets literally 100 times what we shot our film for,” he said. “So when we can stand alongside those movies and be recognized, it means we’re doing something right.”
He also pointed out that in recent years, indie films have been making a bigger impact at the Oscars. “It’s been a great tradition to see independent films getting recognized, and this year’s batch was wonderful,” he said, citing films like The Brutalist as part of a strong indie movement.
The Importance of Community and Film Preservation
Baker also took a moment to acknowledge the film community that has supported his journey, from Film Independent to international film festivals like Cannes, where Anora first premiered.
“That’s how you birth an independent film,” he said. “Cannes accepting Anora was the beginning of this incredible journey.”
He also spoke passionately about the resurgence of physical media—a subject close to the hearts of many cinephiles.
“I know it’s boutique now, a niche thing, but it’s so important,” Baker said. “So many incredible films from our past are being restored and re-released on Blu-ray and 4K, and we’re living in a golden age for cinephiles because of that.”
A Culmination of His Career’s Work
For many fans, Baker’s win wasn’t just about Anora—it was the result of years of fearless filmmaking, from Tangerine to The Florida Project.
When one reporter told him, “These four Oscars are for Tangerine, Starlet, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket”, Baker was touched.
“That’s sweet,” he said. “It does feel like a culmination in many ways. I’ve been covering sex work in my last four films, and I think those films taught me things that eventually led me to Anora.”
Challenging the Stigma Around Sex Work
One of the defining aspects of Anora was its honest, humanizing portrayal of a sex worker, something Baker has explored throughout his career.
“Sex work is our oldest profession, yet it still has an incredibly unfair stigma,” he noted. “With my films, I’ve tried to chip away at that stigma. Personally, I think it should be decriminalized, and through my work, I hope to humanize these characters—who are often caricatures in film and television—and change the conversation.”
What’s Next for Sean Baker?
Baker has long been an outspoken advocate for independent film, and now, as an Oscar-winning director, he has even more influence. But if anything is certain, it’s that he’ll continue making films his way—on his terms.
As the press conference wrapped up, Baker thanked the room, still visibly stunned by the night’s events. “Thank you, guys,” he said, smiling.
After years of pushing the boundaries of independent cinema, Sean Baker and Anora didn’t just make it to the Oscars—they changed the game entirely.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
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