In the lead up to the 97th Academy Awards, several other industry awards may offer hints at who will take home the Oscars, including the Critics’ Choice Awards, the Annie Awards, the Producer’s Guild of America Awards, and the Director’s Guild of America Awards. Here are the highlights from those events.
The Critics’ Choice Awards
The Critics’ Choice Awards are annual awards given to media that have consistently received high scores and ratings by critics. These awards can often be quite a bit different than awards chosen by peer groups such as the DGA and PGA awards. WICKED, EMILLIA PEREZ, and THE SUBSTANCE all won big at the 2025 event, but it was ANORA that took home the top prize. Here are some highlights:
- Best Picture – Anora
- Best Director – Jon M. Chu
- Best Actor – Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
- Best Actress – Demi Moore, “The Substance”
- Best Acting Ensemble – Conclave
- Best Original Screenplay – Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
- Best Cinematography – Jarin Blaschke, “Nosferatu”
Producers Guild Awards
The Producers Guild of America Awards recognizes excellence in producing across film, television, and streaming. ANORA won big at the PGA’s setting a trend for the entire weekend of awards ceremonies. Here are the highlights:
- Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Pictures – Anora Darryl F. Zanuck
- Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures – The Wild Robot
- Award for Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures – The Greatest Night in Pop
- Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama – Shogun
Director’s Guild of America
The DGA awards are just what they sound like: directors recognizing directors. Sean Baker winning the big prize at the DGA’s shows that his film ANORA is still a leader for Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars. Here are some highlights:
- Theatrical feature Film – Anora
- First Time Theatrical Feature Film – Nickel Boys
- Dramatic Series – Shogun
- Comedy series – Hacks
The Annie Awards
The Annie Awards are annual awards recognizing excellence in American Animation. Big winners this year were THE WILD ROBOT and Netflix’s ARCANE. Of note also is FLOW winning the award for Best Independent Film and BOB’S BURGERS winning Best TV/Media – Mature.
The Wild Robot
- Best Animated Feature
- Best FX Feature
- Best Music Feature
- Best Voice Acting Feature – Lupita Nyong’o
- Best Direction Feature
- Best Character Design Feature
- Best Character Animation Feature
- Best Editorial Feature
- Best Production Design Feature
Arcane
- Best FX TV/Media
- Best Character Animation TV/Media
- Best Direction TV/Media
- Best Music TV/Media
- Best Production Design TV/Media
- Best Storyboarding TV/Media
- Best Editorial TV/Media
