‘Anora’ Wins Best Picture at Vancouver Film Critics Circle

Sean Baker’s Anora emerged as the top winner at the 2025 Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards, securing the coveted Best Picture award. The film, a screwball comedy that explores the entangled life of a young sex worker and her romance with the son of a Russian oligarch, was lauded for its unique storytelling and deep character exploration.

Leading the charge for the film, Mikey Madison received the Best Female Actor award for her standout role in Anora. Madison’s performance earned her an Oscar nomination, cementing her place among the most talented actors of 2024. Anora had already garnered significant attention and accolades earlier in the year, winning prestigious awards such as the Palme d’Or at Cannes, as well as top honors at the Critics Choice Awards and the Producers Guild Awards.

Other notable award recipients included Jesse Eisenberg, who claimed the Best Screenplay prize for A Real Pain, while Kieran Culkin earned Best Supporting Male Actor for his performance in the same film. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two continued to dominate, with Villeneuve taking home the Best Director award. Timothée Chalamet was honored with the Best Male Actor award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.

In additional honors, Margaret Qualley was recognized for her supporting role in The Substance, earning the Best Supporting Female Actor award. The Best Feature Documentary award went to No Other Land, a powerful film about Palestinian activists resisting Israeli forces. The Best International Film award went to Flow, an animated feature from director Gints Zilbalodis.

In Canadian film categories, My Old Ass, a heartfelt coming-of-age drama written and directed by Megan Park, triumphed in multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Female Actor for Maisy Stella. Meanwhile, Can I Get a Witness? stood out with multiple honors, including Best Director for Ann Marie Fleming and Best Supporting Female Actor for Sandra Oh.

With these wins, the Vancouver Film Critics Circle once again celebrated the bold, innovative works that define the cinematic landscape, highlighting the best in both local and international talent.