'Anora,' the tale of a New York sex worker who seizes a chance at a new life after impulsively marrying a wealthy Russian client, triumphed at the Academy Awards on Sunday, clinching five Oscars, including the prestigious Best Picture.

The film’s 25-year-old lead, Mikey Madison, took home the Best Actress award. “Anora” also secured Best Director for Sean Baker, along with accolades for Original Screenplay and Editing.

Produced on a modest $6 million budget—a paltry sum by Hollywood standards—“Anora” emerged victorious in a fiercely unpredictable Oscars race, beating out contenders like the papal thriller 'Conclave,' the Jewish immigrant drama 'The Brutalist,' and the blockbuster musical 'Wicked.'

Baker, renowned for his intimate portrayals of marginalised communities, including porn stars and transgender sex workers, urged aspiring filmmakers to persist in independent cinema. “If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof,” he said.

Madison’s win was a surprise upset over Demi Moore, who had been the frontrunner for Best Actress for her role in “The Substance.”

“I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me,” Madison said in her acceptance speech. “To be here standing in this room today is really incredible.”

She dedicated her win to the sex worker community, vowing to remain an ally. “I want to thank and honour the sex worker community. I will continue to be an ally,” she said.

Distributed by indie studio Neon, “Anora” has grossed $40 million globally, a stark contrast to “Wicked,” which has raked in $728 million.

Adrien Brody claimed his second Oscar, winning Best Actor for his portrayal of a Jewish immigrant architect pursuing the American dream in “The Brutalist.” His first win came two decades ago for “The Pianist” at the age of 29.

“Acting is a very fragile profession,” Brody reflected. “No matter where you are in your career, it can all go away. I think what makes this most special is the awareness of that.”

Zoe Saldana was named Best Supporting Actress for her role as a Mexican drug lord’s fixer in the Spanish-language Netflix musical “Emilia Perez.”

Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of one of two cousins tracing their family roots in Poland in “A Real Pain.”

Culkin thanked his wife, Jazz Charton, and humorously referenced their plans to expand their family. “I recently told her I wanted four kids. She joked she’d agree if I won an Oscar,” he said, adding, “Let’s get cracking on those kids!”

The winners of the golden statuettes were chosen by the approximately 11,000 actors, producers, directors, and film craftspeople who comprise the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

“No Other Land,” a documentary highlighting Palestinian resistance in the West Bank against Israeli soldiers demolishing homes to create a military training ground, won the Best Documentary Feature award.

The Best Animated Feature went to “Flow,” the first Latvian film to win an Oscar. Meanwhile, the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here” took home the Best International Feature award.

Nominees Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the ceremony with a “Wizard of Oz”-themed medley, including the show-stopping hit “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.”

Grande, Saldana, Selena Gomez, and other stars dazzled in shimmering, sculptural gowns. Timothée Chalamet opted for a canary yellow tuxedo, drawing a light-hearted jab from host Conan O’Brien: “You will not get hit on your bike tonight.”

Midway through the show, O’Brien invited a group of Los Angeles firefighters on stage to thank them for their efforts during January’s wildfires. He also encouraged them to deliver a few jokes.

“It’s great to be back with Conan,” quipped Pasadena Fire Captain Jodi Slicker. “Usually when he calls, he’s stuck in a tree.”