CFF Alumni Triumph at the Oscars
Cambridge Film Festival Alumni Triumph at the 97th Academy Awards
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of several films showcased at the 43rd Cambridge Film Festival (CFF43) that went on to win big at the 97th Academy Awards!
These wins not only recognise the extraordinary talent of their filmmakers but also reaffirm CFF’s reputation for bringing world-class cinema to Cambridge audiences. We are immensely proud to have been part of their journey.
ANORA – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing
Sean Baker’s ANORA was the talk of the festival when it played to a packed Cambridge audience. With its electric energy, razor-sharp screenplay, and a career-defining performance from Mikey Madison, we were clearly witnessing something special.
The film follows a young Uzbek-American stripper whose whirlwind marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch sends her life spiralling out of control. The gripping storytelling and bold direction made ANORA one of the festival’s standout films—and now, the biggest winner at the Oscars, taking home:
🏆 Best Picture
🏆 Best Director is Sean Baker
🏆 Best Actress – Mikey Madison
🏆 Best Original Screenplay
🏆 Best Film Editing
We couldn’t be prouder to have shared this film with Cambridge audiences before it went on to claim cinema’s highest honour!
FLOW – Best Animated Feature
When FLOW, the mesmerising hand-drawn animated feature from Gints Zilbalodis, screened at CFF, it left our audience spellbound. A visually stunning odyssey following a solitary cat navigating a flooded world, FLOW was one of the most talked-about films at the festival, with audiences praising its breathtaking visuals and immersive storytelling.
The film has now gone on to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards—a well-deserved recognition of its artistry and emotional depth.
It’s always a privilege to share animation that pushes creative boundaries, and FLOW was a truly unforgettable part of #CFF43.
NO OTHER LAND – Best Documentary Feature
NO OTHER LAND took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, cementing its place as one of the year’s most powerful and essential films.
This deeply affecting documentary provides an urgent, on-the-ground perspective of life in occupied Palestine, blending personal storytelling with political urgency. Its impact on our festival audience was undeniable, and its recognition at the Academy Awards is a testament to the importance of documentary filmmaking in giving a voice to those who need to be heard.
A REAL PAIN – Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin)
We had the honour of screening A REAL PAIN as our Closing Night Film at CFF43, and it was the perfect way to end the festival.
Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, this deeply personal and darkly comedic film follows two estranged cousins who embark on a trip to Poland to explore their family’s Holocaust history—only for old wounds and deep-seated tensions to resurface.
At our festival, audiences were captivated by the film’s delicate balance of humour and heartbreak, and it was clear that Kieran Culkin’s performance was something special. Now, he has won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, a well-earned recognition for his raw and poignant portrayal.
We are proud that our Closing Night Film has become an Oscar-winning triumph!
A Testament to CFF’s Vision
The success of these films at the Oscars underscores what we strive to achieve at the Cambridge Film Festival—bringing bold, innovative, and deeply moving cinema to our audiences before the rest of the world takes notice.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners, and we can’t wait to continue showcasing future award-winning films at #CFF44.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the very best in cinema!