Oscar 2025 Winners List: Sean Baker’s speech at the 97th Academy Awards wasn’t just a moment of triumph—it was a declaration. As he took the stage to claim the Best Picture award for Anora, his words celebrated the undeniable rise of indie cinema, a message that couldn’t have come at a better time. On a night where low-budget films dominated the Oscars, indie movies were the true stars, overshadowing the high-budget studio productions that typically rule the awards. Films like Anora, The Brutalist, A Real Pain, The Substance, Emilia Pérez, Flow, and Conclave swept up major awards, while only Dune: Part Two and Wicked managed to salvage any pride for Hollywood’s blockbusters. With The Brutalist and Anora alone claiming a combined eight trophies, the night undoubtedly belonged to the indie revolution—a historic moment in Oscar history.
A Defining Turning Point
The surge of indie films at the Oscars didn’t happen overnight. It can be traced back to 2017, when Moonlight stunned the world by defeating La La Land for Best Picture. That fateful moment wasn’t just a mix-up by Warren Beatty—it was a symbolic turning point, showing that the Academy had begun to favor independent films with powerful, socially relevant themes over the typical big-budget studio fare. This shift gathered even more momentum in 2020 when Parasite, distributed by Neon, made history as the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture. It sent a bold message that storytelling transcends language and culture, posing a real challenge to Hollywood’s powerhouse studios. From that point on, the floodgates opened. Films like Nomadland, CODA, and Everything Everywhere All at Once reinforced the power of the indie wave, proving that it wasn’t just about big budgets anymore—indie films had carved a path of their own, and the major studios should start paying attention.
Bold and Radical Storytelling
What’s behind this shift? A key factor is the growing embrace of socially relevant and thought-provoking storytelling within the Academy. Films like Anora, The Brutalist, and The Substance tackle pressing topics such as immigration, social acceptance, and aspiration—issues that resonate deeply with audiences and voters alike. Their success at the Oscars was amplified by impressive showings at major film festivals like Venice, Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, and Busan—festivals that have always been at the forefront of championing bold, artistic cinema. In contrast, Hollywood’s big-budget productions often focus on commercial appeal, with a heavy emphasis on box office returns. This has led to an overabundance of sequels, franchise films, and safe, risk-averse choices. The exception to this trend comes when visionary filmmakers like Christopher Nolan or Denis Villeneuve take the reins, showing that creativity and original storytelling can still break through in the mainstream.
The Streaming Revolution
Streaming platforms have also played an instrumental role in the rise of indie films, offering them not just visibility but also the financial backing needed to thrive. Emilia Pérez benefited from Netflix’s extensive support, while The Substance found a home with Mubi, further proving that digital platforms are now shaping the future of award-worthy cinema. Alongside streaming, indie-focused production companies like Neon and A24 have become synonymous with high-quality films, ensuring that these indie gems find their way to global audiences. Neon’s success stories include Parasite, I, Tonya, Triangle of Sadness, and The Seed of the Sacred Fig, while A24 has backed critical darlings such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Lady Bird, and Moonlight. These companies have risen to power, turning indie films into mainstream hits and proving that compelling stories don’t need big budgets to be seen or appreciated.
No Risk, No Gain
The showdown between indie films and big-budget studio productions at the Oscars marks a significant shift in how excellence is defined in cinema. While Hollywood blockbusters continue to dominate the global box office, independent films have firmly established themselves as serious contenders for the biggest honors at the Academy Awards. This proves that it’s not just spectacle that can win accolades—it’s the power of storytelling, creativity, and artistic vision. As the industry continues to evolve, this battle between artistic risk and commercial filmmaking is likely to continue. However, for now, indie films are firmly in the spotlight, and the Oscars may have found its new era—one where creativity reigns supreme and risks are celebrated.