The exhilarating buzz surrounding "Anora" (Neon) just keeps building, and if the last 24 hours are anything to go by, this film is charging full speed ahead in the Oscar race. The opening refrain sung by Take That—"Today this could be the greatest day of our lives"—has never felt more fitting. This Palme d'Or winner has been stacking up accolades left and right, solidifying itself as a true frontrunner. Just this past weekend, "Anora" scooped up Best Picture at the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards and Best Director at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards, following its unexpected triumph at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards for Best Film. After a fiercely competitive six-film Best Picture field, the race is finally taking shape.
Sean Baker, the mastermind behind "Anora," took the opportunity during his DGA acceptance speech to advocate for the revival of traditional theatrical distribution, echoing the sentiments he shared at the Critics Choice Awards. "Let's do whatever we can do for us feature filmmakers to expand that theatrical window again; demand it. Let's get it back to what it used to be," Baker urged. "At least 90 days, and really support movie theaters." Given that the last two Best Picture winners—"Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Oppenheimer"—were massive box office successes, his plea holds serious weight. Audiences are proving they still crave non-franchise films, and Baker wants the industry to take note.
Neon has a history of championing cinematic excellence, and "Anora" is just another feather in its cap. The studio previously delivered the Oscar-winning "Parasite" and has been on a five-year streak of distributing Palme d'Or winners at Cannes. With "Anora" added to its impressive roster, Neon continues to dominate the awards circuit. Released in October 2024, "Anora" quickly became the most successful platform release of the year, raking in $34 million worldwide—a testament to its undeniable appeal.
One of "Anora’s" strongest advantages is its international recognition. As the first American Palme d'Or winner since "The Tree of Life" in 2011, the film carries broad appeal, which is critical when nearly 20% of the Academy's 10,000 voters are international members. However, despite its global resonance, "Anora" was completely shut out at the Golden Globes in January, proving that its journey to Oscar gold won’t be entirely smooth sailing.
Momentum, though, is now squarely on "Anora’s" side. With final Oscar voting opening on February 11, these recent wins couldn’t have come at a better time. Academy members are taking note, and the message is clear: "Anora" is the film to beat. For those who had high hopes for "Wicked," "Conclave," "A Complete Unknown," "The Brutalist," or even the embattled "Emilia Pérez," it’s time to face the reality—"Anora" is a powerhouse that has managed to impress both the mainstream audience and the most discerning cinephiles.
There are still key awards to be won before Oscar night. "Anora" is nominated for both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the BAFTA Awards, which take place before the Oscar voting period closes on February 18. These ceremonies offer Baker another chance to claim Best Original Screenplay, while his stars, Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov, could walk away with their first major televised awards at BAFTA.
Beyond "Anora," the awards season is buzzing with other major contenders. Demi Moore, who won the Critics Choice Award for her role in "The Substance," received a thunderous reception at the DGA Awards before presenting the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film to "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross. With the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards set for February 25, Moore is poised to shine again. "Anora" also remains in contention for major SAG wins, including Best Ensemble and individual honors for Madison and Borisov. The fact that Borisov, a relative newcomer, managed to secure multiple supporting actor nominations speaks volumes about the film’s growing influence.
Back at the PGA Awards, "Anora’s" victory rippled through the night, culminating in a final win that solidified its frontrunner status. Baker, who had just arrived from the DGA Awards, took the stage alongside producers Samantha Quan and Alex Coco, soaking in the moment. Winning at the PGA is especially significant because, like the Academy Awards, it operates on a preferential ballot system. In other words, "Anora" didn’t just win—it was the consensus favorite.
As for other Oscar categories, there are some clear frontrunners emerging. Despite the critical love for the Latvian indie "Flow," Universal's "The Wild Robot," which already secured wins at the Critics Choice and PGA Awards, is all but guaranteed to take home Best Animated Feature. Meanwhile, the documentary race remains unpredictable. The PGA winner, "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story," didn’t even land an Oscar nomination, but "Porcelain War," which took home the DGA win, remains a strong contender.
Outside of the awards race, industry concerns were front and center at the PGA Awards. With Los Angeles still reeling from devastating fires, the guild has already raised $450 million for displaced residents. But the most repeated message of the night? Bringing film production back to Los Angeles. Industry leaders are making it clear—Hollywood should remain the heart of filmmaking.
With the Oscars fast approaching, "Anora" is on an unstoppable trajectory. The wins are stacking up, the momentum is undeniable, and the film has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. As the final voting period begins, one thing is certain—"Anora" is the film to watch.
Login