With films like “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown” and “Wicked” taking up the majority of the focus leading into Oscars night, “Anora” might have come across as an underdog going up against giants. In a way, it was. The indie film was made for a measly $6 million in comparison to “Wicked’s” $150 million and “A Complete Unknown’s” $70 million, making any Oscars achievement impressive by comparison alone.

In total, “Anora” and the people who made it landed six nominations (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing). As a fan of Mikey Madison, the lead actress of the film, I watched the Oscars with bated breath in hopes of her film winning something.

The little indie film that could ended up winning all but one of those categories. The Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Mikey Madison), Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing all went to “Anora.” Those wins, in my opinion, weren’t just achievements for the cast and crew of the film but were also achievements for new and young filmmakers as a whole.

Seeing a film made for such a small budget with an even smaller crew of just 40 people reach the pinnacle of success was inspirational for a film student like myself who has wondered at times if beating the odds and creating something worthwhile with a fraction of the funding big studios can get is even possible. “Anora” not only proved that it was possible, the people behind it encouraged filmmakers such as myself to try, too.

“We made this for very little money, but all of our hearts,” said Samantha Quan, a producer of the film, during her Best Picture acceptance speech. “To all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there– tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you you will never regret it.”

I sat on my couch listening to that encouraging, inspirational speech and found myself having to reach for a tissue.

“If you’re trying to make independent films, please keep doing it,” director Sean Baker said in his portion of the Best Picture acceptance speech. “We need more. This is proof.” Not only was it proof of the film industry’s need for independent films, it was proof that filmmakers with smaller budgets and less crew power can accomplish their dreams.

I woke up the following morning feeling a renewed sense of hope in my pursuit of filmmaking because of “Anora’s” night at the Oscars. More than anything else, new and young filmmakers need to have hope and to feel like what they’re doing is worthwhile. “Anora” has made that possible.

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