The 97th Academy Awards celebrated the triumph of independent cinema, with Sean Baker's dark comedy "Anora" taking home five major Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.

The film, made on a modest $6 million budget, also won Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing, marking a rare double win after its Palme d’Or victory at Cannes.

Adrien Brody earned Best Actor for "The Brutalist," which also won for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.

Meanwhile, Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez," despite its record 13 nominations, faced setbacks due to controversies but secured awards for Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldana) and Best Original Song.

The Best International Film award went to Brazil's "Je suis toujours là," and "Flow" was named Best Animated Feature.

Independent films dominated the night, showcasing their growing influence in the industry.