Sean Baker’s night of triumph continued as his film Anora swept the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards on February 8, 2025. These dual victories have experts speculating that Anora could be a major contender for both Best Director and Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars.
Baker’s whirlwind evening began at the Beverly Hilton, where he secured the DGA’s top honor, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film. He then rushed to the Fairmont Century Plaza to collect the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures at the PGA Awards, sharing the honor with producers Alex Coco and Samantha Quan.
At the PGA, the ceremony even delayed its start to accommodate the Anora team, who had just won the Best Picture prize at the Critics’ Choice Awards earlier that night.
The Oscars Outlook
These back-to-back wins are noteworthy because they align with historical trends that could predict a strong showing for Anora at the Academy Awards. Over the past 34 years, 25 PGA winners have gone on to win Best Picture at the Oscars, and 19 of the last 22 DGA winners have taken home the Oscar for Best Director. Additionally, it is exceedingly rare for a Best Picture winner to lack a Best Director nomination, with only six instances in Oscar history.
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Baker, visibly overwhelmed by his accomplishments, joked onstage, “My imposter syndrome is skyrocketing right now, as well as my cortisol levels.” He expressed his gratitude to the DGA and his team, emphasizing the film’s modest $6 million budget and the challenges of shooting on film in New York City in 2023.
He thanked his collaborators, particularly his lead actress Mikey Madison, who portrays Ani in Anora. Baker called working with Madison transformative, noting how her contributions elevated the film and reshaped his approach to directing actors. Madison plays a young woman in a New York strip club who marries a rich, younger man, only to discover that his family—part of the Russian oligarchy—are not pleased with their union.
Anora’s Recognition and Future
The film’s cast also includes Yura Borisov, Mark Eydelshteyn, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan, all of whom were integral to the success of the project. Baker shared his gratitude for the team’s dedication and reflected on how the production had changed him as a filmmaker.
Meanwhile, at the PGA Awards, Baker shared the spotlight with his producing partners. “I saw them shine as producers,” he said, praising Coco and Quan for their problem-solving and tireless support throughout the making of the film.
The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on March 2, 2025, and Anora is already making waves as one of the frontrunners in the race for top honors
