The 2023 Oscar race has seen a dramatic shift following the recent victories of "Anora" at both the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Producers Guild of America (PGA) awards. Despite earlier setbacks, including a sweep of losses at the Golden Globes, Sean Baker's comedy has surged ahead, capturing top honors at two of the most influential guild ceremonies. Since 2009, with the expansion of best-picture nominees from five to ten, the PGA winner has claimed the Oscar for Best Picture all but three times. This trend bodes well for "Anora," positioning it as the frontrunner in this unpredictable awards season.

For director Sean Baker, the weekend was nothing short of extraordinary. After accepting his DGA award, he expressed feelings of disbelief and self-doubt, joking about his soaring cortisol levels and impostor syndrome. Yet, history is on his side: 18 out of the last 20 DGA winners have also taken home the Best Director Oscar. The momentum continued into Friday night when "Anora" won the Critics Choice Award, solidifying its place in the Oscar conversation.

Beyond "Anora," other notable achievements included wins for "Shogun" in the drama series category and "Hacks" for comedy series. RaMell Ross emerged victorious as the first-time theatrical filmmaker for "Nickel Boys." Meanwhile, despite leading the Oscar nominations with 13 nods, "Emilia Pérez" faced controversy over tweets by its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, and failed to secure any major wins at either ceremony.

The success of "Anora" marks a significant milestone in this year's awards season. With its impressive track record at key guild events, the film stands poised to make history at the Oscars. For Baker, who has overcome personal and professional challenges, the accolades reflect not only the quality of his work but also the resilience of independent filmmaking. As the industry looks forward to the Academy Awards, all eyes will be on "Anora" and whether it can maintain its winning streak.