February 8, 2025: The 2025 Critics Choice Awards, held on Saturday, February 8, saw Anora take home the prestigious Best Picture award, triumphing over tough competition from films like A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Perez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing, The Substance, and Wicked.
Writer-director Sean Baker, accepting the award, expressed his gratitude and surprise, calling the win “so unexpected.” “When those who dedicate their lives to their love of film and film criticism and film journalism, when they see something positive in your work, just a little, it means everything in the world. So thank you guys so much,” he said in his heartfelt speech, as quoted by PEOPLE.
Baker went on to highlight the micro-budget nature of the film, which was made for just $6 million. “We shot on film. We shot in New York City. That all happened because of my incredible cast and crew who roughed it up. We put every dollar up on that screen,” he shared with the audience, underscoring the dedication that went into creating the film.
Anora tells the gripping story of a Brooklyn sex worker, played by Mikey Madison, who becomes entangled with the Russian mafia, bringing a raw and compelling narrative to the screen.
The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards, which had been rescheduled from January 12 due to the Los Angeles wildfires, was hosted by Chelsea Handler. The star-studded ceremony celebrated the best in film and television, with Conclave and Wicked dominating the film nominations.
In the television categories, Shogun led the nominations with six nods, while Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and The Diplomat each garnered four nominations.
The Critics Choice Awards were streamed live in India on Lionsgate Play, making the event accessible to fans around the world. The success of Anora further cemented its place in the cinematic spotlight, showcasing the power of storytelling, even with a small budget.