By clinching best picture for his comedy-drama "Anora” at the 97th Academy Awards, writer-director Sean Baker on Sunday became the first person to win four Oscars for the same film. He also won trophies earlier in the night for best director, original screenplay and editing.

"Long live independent film,” Baker, 54, said with his best picture Oscar in hand.

"Anora” won five Oscars in total, including best actress for Mikey Madison. While accepting the trophy for best director, Baker pleaded with the audience and viewers at home to keep movie theaters - especially the independent ones - alive.

"Where did we fall in love with movies? At the movie theater,” he said. "Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together. ... In a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever.”

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"This is my battle cry,” he added, asking filmmakers to continue creating for the big screen; distributors to prioritize theatrical releases for their films; and parents to introduce their children to feature films in movie theaters, rather than on streaming platforms.

Baker is known for his independent films about marginalized communities, such as sex workers and immigrants. Though he has received widespread acclaim for movies such as "The Florida Project,” "Red Rocket” and his breakout "Tangerine,” which was shot on an iPhone, Baker had not received any Oscar nominations until this season. (Willem Dafoe received a supporting actor nod for "The Florida Project.”)

While accepting best original screenplay, Baker was sure to thank "the sex worker community” for contributing to his storytelling: "They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experience with me over the years,” he said. "My deepest respect. Thank you. I share this with you.”

"Anora,” about a Brooklyn sex worker (Mikey Madison) who embarks on a whirlwind romance with the son (Mark Eydelshteyn) of a Russian oligarch, received six Oscar nominations overall, including nods for lead actress Madison and supporting actor Yura Borisov. It racked up awards throughout the season, winning top prizes at the Critics Choice Awards and ceremonies held by the producers and directors guilds.

The film faced stiff competition at the Oscars - particularly from Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist,” a sweeping immigrant story recognized with 10 nominations (and three wins). This is the 70th time in Oscars history that the same film took home prizes for both best picture and best director.

Director Bong Joon-ho came close to winning four Oscars for "Parasite” in 2020, when the film won best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature. But that last category awards the country - South Korea, in this case - rather than the director or producers.

During his best editing speech, Baker poked fun at the many hats he wore on "Anora.”

"I truly appreciate the recognition for this because, God, if you saw that footage - I saved this film in the edit, trust me,” he said. "That director should never work again.”

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