An opening number that gave us chills, a veteran comedic host who does “self-deprecating” better than anyone, and a star-studded room celebrating Hollywood’s biggest night—the 2025 Oscars had it all. But at the heart of the evening, it was a celebration of movies, “Hollywood,” and how storytelling can be an incredible vehicle to express the human experience.
ANORA’s Big Night and a Historic Win
ANORA had a standout evening, taking home wins in six key categories, including the prestigious Best Picture award. But beyond the big wins, the night was also one for the history books—Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win the Oscar for Costume Design for his incredible work on WICKED.
The Power of Independent Cinema
While the Oscars honored many incredible films, one of the key takeaways of the night was the celebration and power of independent cinema. The industry has undergone many changes, but one truth remains: a good story will find its audience. Many of the best films of the year did not originally start where they ended up. In fact, more than half of the films nominated for Best Picture were independent projects that later secured distribution through studios, platforms, or acquisitions after making their film festival runs.
A Golden Opportunity for Brands
For brands, the opportunity lies in building relationships with storytellers early on. While investing in a project without distribution once seemed risky, it is now a strategic advantage. Brands that invest in independent films help bring more to the screen, support filmmakers in telling their stories on their own terms, and ultimately benefit once these stories reach global audiences. When independent projects secure distribution, it’s a win for everyone—storytellers, audiences, and the brands that believed in them from the start.
Special thanks to Will Park, Vice President, Content Integration, for his insightful contribution.
