Director Sean Baker made history at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday night, setting a new record for the most competitive wins for a single film in one ceremony.

Baker took home four Oscars for his work on Anora, winning Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture, the latter of which he shared with producers Samantha Quan and Alex Coco.

While two others have previously received four Oscars in a single night, Baker’s achievement stands apart.

Walt Disney was the first to win four Oscars in one evening at the 27th Academy Awards in 1954, though his awards were for four different films. More recently, Bong Joon-ho collected four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020 for Parasite, but one of his wins—Best International Feature Film—was technically awarded to South Korea rather than him personally.

Throughout his acceptance speeches, Baker emphasized his deep appreciation for independent cinema and its enduring impact.

Accepting the Oscar for Best Picture, he paid tribute to the filmmakers and artists who brought Anora to life.

“This film was made on the blood, sweat, and tears of incredible indie artists — and long live independent film,” Baker declared.

Earlier, while accepting Best Director, he made a passionate plea for audiences to support the theatrical experience, calling it “a vital part of our culture.”

With his historic achievement, Baker’s triumph at the Oscars cements his legacy as a champion of independent filmmaking and a defining voice in contemporary cinema.