Fox arthouse division soars ahead with surreal ‘Birdman’

Fox Searchlight, the arthouse film division of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, dominated the Academy Awards with eight awards, including the coveted best picture prize for its absurd comedy drama Birdman.

The recognition at the film industry’s top honours will likely boost cinema, DVD, and digital sales for the film, which has collected €70m at global box offices.

It was the second best-picture trophy in a row for Fox Searchlight after last year’s victory for 12 Years a Slave.