AceShowbiz - The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards held in Los Angeles announced its winners, and "Anora" took home the Best Picture award, a significant victory after being completely overlooked at the Golden Globes.

Directed by Sean Baker, the film tells the story of an exotic dancer's romance with a Russian heir. In his acceptance speech, Baker urged the audience to support independent movies in theaters, remarking, "We lost a thousand theaters during Covid - we lose them almost daily. That's where we love to see films. Let's see films in our local theaters, OK?"

Another unexpected moment came when Jon M. Chu who was snubbed by the Oscars and Directors Guild of America Awards won Best Director for "Wicked". In his acceptance speech, Chu quipped, "I'm going to win that Oscar!"

The body horror film "The Substance" also showed its dominance, earning Demi Moore Best Actress, Coralie Fargeat Best Original Screenplay, and an award for Best Hair and Makeup.

In her acceptance speech, Moore celebrated the often-overlooked horror genre. "I am so grateful not just for my performance, but that you have highlighted this film, this genre of, normally horror films, that are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold," she noted.

Amid controversy surrounding its star Karla Sofia Gascon, "Emilia Perez" managed to secure three awards. Gascon, absent from the event, faced backlash over her offensive tweets. Nonetheless, the film triumphed with Best Foreign Language Film, Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana, and Best Original Song for "El Mal."

The prize for Best Original Song went to Gascon, Saldana, and French singer-songwriter Camille (aka Camille Dalmais). In her speech, Camille gave Saldana a shout-out but made no mention of Gascon, "Thank you to the 'Emilia Pérez' team, and for Zoe for being such a great artist."

On the television side, "Shogun" was the big winner, sweeping the drama categories by winning Best Drama Series and acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, and Moeka Hoshi. "Hacks" also performed well, taking home awards for Best Comedy Series and acting prizes for Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder.

The ceremony was initially postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, which coincided with the announcement of the Oscar nominations. Hosted in the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., the event's delayed schedule did not dampen its spirit, as winners and attendees celebrated achievements in film and television with high energy.

The Critics Choice Awards was hosted by Chelsea Handler this year. During her monologue, she lampooned Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and more.

• Best Picture: "Anora"
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody - "The Brutalist"
• Best Actress: Demi Moore - "The Substance"
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin - "A Real Pain"
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana - "Emilia Perez"
• Best Young Actor/Actress: Maisy Stella - "My Old A**"
• Best Acting Ensemble: "Conclave"
• Best Director: Jon M. Chu - "Wicked"
• Best Original Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat - "The Substance"
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan - "Conclave"
• Best Animated Film: "The Wild Robot"
• Best Comedy (Tie): "A Real Pain" and "Deadpool & Wolverine"
• Best Foreign Language Film: "Emilia Perez"
• Best Song: "El Mal" from "Emilia Perez" (Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon and Camille)
• Best Score: "Challengers" (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross)

• Best Drama Series: "Shogun"
• Best Drama Actor: Hiroyuki Sanada - "Shogun"
• Best Drama Actress: Kathy Bates - "Matlock"
• Best Drama Supporting Actor: Tadanobu Asano - "Shogun"
• Best Drama Supporting Actress: Moeka Hoshi - "Shogun"
• Best Comedy Series: "Hacks"
• Best Comedy Actor: Adam Brody - "Nobody Wants This"
• Best Comedy Actress: Jean Smart - "Hacks"
• Best Comedy Supporting Actor: Michael Urie - "Shrinking"
• Best Comedy Supporting Actress: Hannah Einbinder - "Hacks"
• Best Limited Series: "Baby Reindeer"
• Best TV Movie: "Rebel Ridge"
• Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: Colin Farrell - "The Penguin"
• Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie: Cristin Milioti - "The Penguin"
• Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: Liev Schreiber - "The Perfect Couple"
• Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series of TV Movie: Jessica Gunning - "Baby Reindeer"
• Best Foreign Language Series: "Squid Game"
• Best Animated Series: "X-Men '97"
• Best Talk Show: "John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in L.A."
• Best Comedy Special: "Ali Wong: Single Lady"