Filmmaker Sean Baker’s Anora, which emerged as a critical and commercial triumph, will have a special screening at the Red Lorry Film Festival following its remarkable success at the 97th Academy Awards. The film secured five Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture award, making it one of the biggest winners of the night.
Sean Baker took home the Best Director award, while Anora also won Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Madison’s victory was particularly surprising, as she outshone Demi Moore, who was widely regarded as the frontrunner for much of the awards season. The film was nominated in six categories, demonstrating its widespread acclaim.
The Red Lorry Film Festival, curated by BookMyShow, will showcase Anora as part of its lineup, celebrating the film’s grand Oscar sweep. “We welcome patrons to catch the film of the year at the Red Lorry Film Festival. With Anora, we’re not just screening a film; we’re facilitating a shared artistic experience that simply cannot be replicated,” said Ashish Saksena, COO – Cinemas, BookMyShow, and Festival Director, Red Lorry Film Festival.
He further emphasized the importance of the theatrical experience: “As Sean Baker rightly said, the experience in cinemas is unparalleled. The subtle nuances of Mikey Madison’s award-winning performance, the masterful editing, and Baker’s visionary direction deserve to be appreciated in an environment that honors the filmmaker’s craft.”
Alongside Anora, the festival will also screen Emilia Perez, which won Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana and Best Original Song for El Mal, as well as I’m Still Here, the Best International Feature Film winner. The second edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival will take place from March 21 to 23, 2025, at state-of-the-art cinemas, including Maison INOX at Jio World Plaza and Maison PVR at Jio World Drive in Mumbai, while also making its debut in Hyderabad at Prasads Multiplex.
Sean Baker’s Passionate Call to Save Movie Theatres
During his Oscar acceptance speech, Sean Baker used his platform to advocate for the survival of movie theatres. “We’re all here tonight and watching this broadcast because we love movies,” he said. “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater… Watching a film in the theatre with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, and, in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever.”
However, Baker warned that this communal experience is at risk. “During the pandemic, we lost 1,000 screens in the US, and we continue to lose them regularly. If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture,” he stated.
As a dedicated indie filmmaker, Baker’s plea resonated with many in the industry. His speech was met with applause, highlighting the urgent need to protect independent cinemas that support emerging filmmakers. With Anora now set for a grand festival screening, the Red Lorry Film Festival promises to be a celebration of cinema and a reminder of the magic of the big screen.
Sources By Agencies
