California, Feb. 8 -- The 2025 Critics Choice Awards took place on Saturday, February 8, with Anora winning the top honour for Best Picture. The film beat strong contenders like A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Perez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing, The Substance, and Wicked.

Accepting the award, writer-director Sean Baker expressed his surprise, calling the win "so unexpected."

"When those who dedicate their lives to their love of film and film criticism and film journalism, when they see something positive in your work, just a little, it means everything in the world. So thank you guys so much," PEOPLE quoted the filmmaker as saying.

"We made this little film -- it was $6 million. That's micro-budget these ...