As the Oscar nominations were announced this morning, nominees react below:
YALITZA APARICIO, Oscar nominee for Best Actress — ROMA:
“From the very first casting call to this morning, my ROMA journey has been extraordinary.
As a daughter of a domestic worker and an indigenous woman myself, I am proud this movie will help those of us who feel invisible be seen. I am eternally grateful to the Academy for recognizing ROMA and am honored to be part of Alfonso’s vision. Congratulations to Alfonso, the entire cast and crew, and my dear friend Marina De Tavira.
I am so humbled and honored. Thank You.”
Bradley Cooper – a triple nominee for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for “A Star Is Born”
“Everyone who worked on this film truly risked putting themselves out there — in the hope that in doing so people will connect and feel something deep and personal — the way films have made me feel since I was a kid. When I got this opportunity I knew I had to risk it all because I may never get another chance — so to be here today in a place where people who have seen the film are talking about how it makes them feel, something deep — that simple human thing — that we need each other — and the Academy to recognize that this morning — I just am so grateful.”
GREEN BOOK Producers Jim Burke, Charles Wessler, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga
We are beyond grateful to the Academy for this overwhelming honor. The Green Book story began with a concert tour in the pre-civil-rights-era 1960s that allowed an unexpected friendship to grow between these two very different individuals. Their extraordinary trip inspired us all to take this journey of a lifetime. We’re further indebted to the Academy for recognizing the transcendent performances of our partners Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. We extend our deep gratitude to our partners Participant Media, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures for allowing us to make this dream come true.”
Rachel Weisz – The Favourite- Best Actress In a Supporting Role
“Thank you to The Academy for recognizing The Favourite in so many categories. I’m immensely proud to be part of it and to be nominated in the company of such talented women. Congratulations to my incredible fellow actors Emma and Olivia, our brilliant director Yorgos, and to everyone who participated in the making of this extraordinary film. Thank you to Fox Searchlight for their unwavering support and for having the guts to make a film with three complex female protagonists.”
Mahershala Ali, Best Supporting Actor – GREEN BOOK
“I’d like to thank the Academy for recognizing my work along with the extraordinary performances of my fellow nominees. I was so fortunate to have collaborators in Viggo Mortensen and Peter Farrelly and I’d like to congratulate them on their nominations. Through Dr. Donald Shirley, I had the gift of navigating circumstances as a profound, gifted, complicated genius. A man who had experiences and a combination of qualities that I had yet to see on film. I’m tremendously grateful for the lessons I learned through both his struggles and successes. I sincerely hope Dr. Shirley’s music and his unique contribution to our culture continues to be discovered, shared and appreciated.”
Gabriela Rodriguez, Best Picture nominee for ROMA:
“Thank you to The Academy for recognizing ROMA, a project that was personal to not only Alfonso, but our entire cast and crew. I am incredibly honored to have been part of such an amazing production team alongside Alfonso Cuarón and Nicolás Celis. We poured our hearts into making this movie, and the fact that it is resonating with people around the world is beyond gratifying. I’m so thrilled to share this moment with Yalitza, Marina and our entire team.”
Alfonso Cuaron, nominated for Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography for ROMA
Thank you to the Academy for recognizing ROMA across these categories. Human experience is one in the same, and it’s so gratifying that a black and white film about life in Mexico is being celebrated around the world. We are living a great moment in cinema where diversity is embraced by audiences. This kind of visibility pushes our industry forward and creates more opportunity for new voices and perspectives to emerge. It is a testament of how late we’re arriving to this moment, in which stories of the invisible among us — the domestic workers and indigenous women — are put at the center of our narratives. I share this with my cast, crew, producers, and most importantly, with my family and Mexico.”
“Muchas gracias a la Academia por reconocer a ROMA en estas categorías. La experiencia humana es una sola y es muy gratificante que una película en blanco y negro sobre la vida en México esté siendo celebrada alrededor del mundo. Estamos viviendo un gran momento del cine, un momento en el que la diversidad es celebrada por el público. Este tipo de visibilidad empuja a nuestra industria hacia adelante y crea oportunidades para que surjan nuevas voces y perspectivas. Se trata además de un testimonio de lo tarde que estamos llegando a este momento, en el que las historias de los invisibles entre nosotros -las trabajadoras del hogar y las mujeres indígenas- son puestas en el centro de las narrativas. Comparto esto con el elenco, el equipo, los productores y más importante que nada, mi familia y México.”
Ceci Dempsey, Producer of THE FAVOURITE
“It is the honor of a lifetime for The Favourite to be nominated in the Best Picture category and to share this with fellow nominees Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos. None of this could have been achieved without the unwavering support of Film 4, Waypoint Entertainment and Fox Searchlight. You couldn’t ask for more exquisite performances from Olivia, Emma and Rachel for these flawed and fascinating characters. After 20 years in the making, it is wonderful to see Yorgos’s unique filmmaking gain such monumental recognition.”
Tony McNamara, Co-Writer of THE FAVOURITE
As a small boy in a country town in Australia, whose first movie experience was “Herbie goes Bananas,” I never dreamed I would be the recipient of an Oscar nomination. It’s a thrill to be in a category with so many amazing writers. My thanks to my friend and collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos for his brilliance.”
Ed Guiney, Producer & Andrew Lowe, Executive Producer of Element Pictures, THE FAVOURITE
“We are in LA and jet lagged, so we were wide awake and ready to watch the nominations at whatever ungodly hour it was. It’s incredible to get this recognition – maybe because the film has been so challenging to pull together over such a long time it’s all the sweeter. Huge congratulations to all the nominees, and we are especially delighted that Yorgos got the nod for director – more than with most movies, it’s all down to him. We are dying to get back to Dublin to celebrate with our gang at Element who have all been such brilliant fellow travellers on the journey. And of course, huge gratitude to Fox Searchlight, Film4 and Waypoint.”
Amy Adams, Academy Award nominee as an actress in a supporting role of VICE – Academy Awards
“Thank you so much to the Academy for this recognition. It is an honor to be nominated for a film that I loved making. I am grateful to Adam for writing such rich material and for creating such a wonderful work environment. I also want to congratulate the other nominees, my cast members, the crew and everyone who worked so hard on this film!”
Sam Rockwell, Academy Award nominee as an actor in a supporting role of VICE, Best Picture
“Hot damn! I am so truly honored to be recognized by the Academy again this year. Vice is such a special and important film to be a part of and I’m thrilled for Adam, Christian, Amy and Hank, as well as all of the cast and crew.”
Ludwig Göransson, nominee for Best Original Score (BLACK PANTHER)
“It is an overwhelming privilege to be nominated by the Academy for my work on Black Panther. I share this honor with the brilliant musicians across the globe who performed on the score. My deepest thanks go to Ryan Coogler, a true visionary and great friend, who created one of the most unique and important films of our time. He encouraged me to venture into uncharted musical territories and to combine diverse worlds of sound into a score that pushed my creative limits.”
Sandy Powell, Oscar nominee, Achievement in Costume Design for The Favourite and Mary Poppins Returns
“All I can think of to say is I’m extremely grateful and proud and huge thanks to all my talented team on both films without whom I would not be in this position right now.”
Adam McKay, Academy Award nominee as producer, director and writer of VICE, Best Picture “VICE” (Annapurna Pictures) – Nominee, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay – Academy Awards
“My sincere thanks to the Academy for recognizing our incredible cast and crew, who worked so tirelessly on this movie that spans five decades. I’m just thrilled, flabbergasted and excited!”
Jeff Whitty, Screenwriter of CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? – Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay
“I’m going to say it now in case this is my only chance: I would like to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I never dared or even dreamed of an Oscar nomination for my first produced screenplay that I share with my incredible co-writer Nicole Holofcener. I think I have what is known as beginner’s luck … I won a Tony for my first musical AVENUE Q. I share this nomination with our fearless leader, Marielle Heller. Congratulations to Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant on their well-deserved nominations and cheers to you, Lee Israel. ”
Diane Warren – Oscar Nominee – Original Song – I’ll Fight from RBG
“I’m so excited to have been nominated for I’ll Fight from RBG. It is an honor to be able to be a part of this fantastic documentary about our real life Superhero Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is also always great to work with one of the best singers of our time, Jennifer Hudson. It means a lot to me to be recognized by my peers.”
Kevin Messick, Academy Award nominee as producer of VICE, Best Picture
“We couldn’t be more proud of our fearless leader Adam McKay and our incredible cast and crew for VICE. We’re grateful for this morning’s nominations and couldn’t be happier!”
Lukasz Zal, Oscar nominee, Achievement in Cinematography for Cold War:
“Collaborating with director Paweł Pawlikowski on Cold War has been an incredible experience and honor. I am greatly humbled by this recognition from the Academy. Thank you to Amazon Studios for supporting this film and thank you to the audiences around the world that have seen and embraced Cold War.”
Graham King (Producer, Bohemian Rhapsody)
A heartfelt thank you to the Academy for recognizing a film that has been a true collaboration from a team with a specific vision and determination to honor Freddie Mercury and Queen. I’m extraordinarily proud of all of the nominations and the entire Bohemian Rhapsody team. It has taken nearly a decade to bring this project to the screen, so to see the world celebrate this film is incredibly thrilling.”
Pawel Pawlikowski, Oscar nominee, Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film, Cold War
“It is an incredible honor to be included amid this group of filmmakers, and I’m so grateful to the Academy. Sharing this very personal film with the world over the last year has been an unforgettable journey. I couldn’t have done it without my producers Tanya Seghatchian and Ewa Puszczyńska, my luminous star Joanna Kulig, as well the support of Amazon Studios, which brought this film to the US. And a special congratulations to Łukasz Żal, whose brilliant lighting brought the film to life.”
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s reaction to the news of RBG’s Academy Award Nomination today for Best Documentary.
“We were excited to be the ones to give Justice Ginsburg the good news that RBG has been nominated for Best Documentary. We reached her on the phone at her home in Washington this morning. She congratulated us and said the nomination was ’eminently well-deserved.’ She sounded strong and cheerful and said she is writing opinions and continuing to stay on top of work.” – RBG Directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen
Deborah Davis, Co-Writer of THE FAVOURITE
“How can I describe the joy and excitement of being nominated by the Academy Awards for my first screenplay? Impossible! When I wake up tomorrow my first thought will be that I must have been dreaming!”
Regina King, Academy Award nominee as an actress in a supporting role of IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Academy Awards
“Wow, wow, wow. The word I keep coming back to is proud. Proud of our cast and crew with all the work we put into this amazing, yet still timely story. I’m grateful to Barry Jenkins for creating this beautiful role out of the great James Baldwin’s words. Collaborating with Barry has been a highlight of my career and this recognition is icing on the cake! And thank you to The Academy!”
Barry Jenkins, Academy Award nominee for adapted screenplay of IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Academy Awards
“It’s such an honor to be in the company of peers and legends I admire. And even more, it fills my heart to have James Baldwin’s name and work associated with the Academy I’m proud to be a member of. On behalf of the Beale Street family, my endless thanks to the Academy for once again acknowledging me, my friends and James Baldwin.”
Fiona Crombie & Alice Felton, Production Designers of THE FAVOURITE
“Being invited to the Oscar table is an absolute honour. We are thrilled for Yorgos and the entire team that The Favourite has resonated strongly with audiences and been recognised by AMPAS voters. We cannot wait to celebrate with our fellow nominees!”
NADINE LABAKI (Director)BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: CAPERNAUM (LEBANON)
“I’m truly proud and happy for this amazing reward. This is a huge victory for every one of us who worked so hard on this life changing adventure. I’m proud of my crew, my beautiful soldiers. I’m proud of my husband, Khaled Mouzanar, producer and music composer of this homemade film, who gave and sacrificed a lot in order for this story to see the light. I’m proud of my actors, each one of them. They are all a miracle of resilience and perseverance no matter how hard their life was and still is. All of them non-actors, all of them trying to survive in a world that is not even allowing them to exist. I truly believe in the power of cinema to achieve change and this recognition is shedding more light on their situation. I truly hope that this will allow a change for the better in their lives. This film was meant to be their plea. Thanks to this recognition they are less invisible today and their voices are resonating a little louder. I’m proud for my country and thinking about each Lebanese person cheering for us today, happy that their country is recognized for something other than political conflicts and turmoil.”
TREVOR JIMENEZ (WRITER/DIRECTOR, “WEEKENDS”)
Hard to express in words, with all the feelings going on right now, but it was such a special moment watching with my wife, my mom (via skype) and our dog. Something I’ll never forget. I feel indebted to them, my family and close friends for all their support and a huge thank you to everyone that worked on ‘Weekends’ with me in and outside Pixar and to all the voters in the Academy for including us with this wonderful group of films. Mind blown.
Best West and Julie Cohen of RBG:
“We are hugely honored to be recognized in this year of the documentary, with so many wonderful docs by talented filmmakers. We want to acknowledge the work of our team—all women in leadership positions, and some great men as well—in bringing to life the story of one of the most important figures in American history, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Justice represents everything that our country needs, especially now; her intelligence, civility, and her determination to stand up and fight for equality. We could not be more thrilled and humbled at the response to our film.”
Phil Lord and Chris Miller -Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse
“This is an incredible honor. We’re grateful to the Academy for recognizing the work of more than 800 artists and filmmakers who came together to tell the extraordinary story of Miles Morales in a groundbreaking way. In the last few months we’ve heard countless stories about parents whose children looked up at them while watching the film and said “he looks like me,” or “they speak Spanish like us,” or “I want to grow up and be like her.” It’s such a simple concept but that is the reason so many people worked so hard – to make a movie that was worthy of Miles and makes everyone feel powerful and seen. Now more than ever, the world needs everyday superheroes and we are counting on everyone.”
-Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman – Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse
“Although we flew under the radar for years, we always felt that Into the Spider-Verse could be something special. We never dreamed, though, that it would have the effect it has had on the diverse, passionate audience it has attracted. While making our movie we tried to push through every boundary we could that dictates what a popular movie can look like — all in the service of a story about finding common ground between different people from different worlds. To be nominated for an Academy Award is a huge honor, and means our movie will continue to reach more people around the world and inspire work that pushes far beyond us. We thank the Academy, our talented colleagues, and the vocal, dedicated audiences who advocated for us and carried us here.”
Caleb Deschanel Best Cinematography in NEVER LOOK AWAY.
“I am really floored and humbled by the nomination — I thought nobody had seen the movie!? So all the better and unexpected. I am lucky to be in such wonderful company with so many great movies this year. But I am especially excited that ‘Never Look Away’ has gotten a foreign language nomination, so more people will want to see Florian’s powerful film.”
Göran Lundström/ Makeup, prosthetics and hair designer & Pamela Goldammer/ Special effects key makeup artist for BORDER
“Wow, what a surprise. How wonderful! We are so honored to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2019 Oscars. We are so incredibly grateful to the Academy for recognizing our work. Being chosen by our peers is truly amazing. This was a team effort involving a group of makeup artists and craftsmen/crafts women under our supervision. We want to thank all the team who worked on creating the make ups… ! Special thanks to the on set team and team behind the prosthetics, and a big thank you to Eva Melander and Eero Milanoff for being so incredibly patient through hours of make up application and, together with us, bringing the make up to life.”
A Star Is Born – Sound Mixing
Tom Ozanich – 1st Oscar nomination
“Wow! What an incredible honor! Thrilled and excited! It’s truly amazing to be a part of this stellar group of nominees. Such great work being done. We had such a great team all around on A Star Is Born. Everyone put their heart and soul into what they were doing and I think you can really feel that in the result.”
“Bradley Cooper is an insanely talented and visionary director. Simply put, we are here for that reason. It’s extremely rare to find someone who is so deeply immersed in something and yet still open to new ideas, always looking to better what is there. Jay Cassidy constructed such a well flowing film with all the right ups and downs and juxtapositions of moments and emotions that it made our job much easier.”
“I have to thank my fellow mixers, Dean, Jason, and Steve for their devotion and skills, and our mix techs and engineers who kept us rolling, Mark Purcell, Phil Lee, Unsun Song, Tony Pilkington, Jeff Berlin, and Ryan Murphy. (You guys, and gal, are The Best!). Matt Iadarola for the always tasteful pre-dub help. The impeccable skills from the whole sound editorial team led by the masterful Alan Murray. Kira Roessler’s dialogue editing genius! Essential. And Jason Ruder’s music editing was a cornerstone of this movie. Lisa Dennis was our great advocate and support and kept us in line. Christian Wenger, Jason King, Roland Tai, Curt Schulkey, Michelle Pazer, and everyone I forgot, Thank you!”
“We mixed at Warner Bros. and couldn’t be happier. The people, the facility, and support is second to none. Thank you Kim Waugh, Mark Solomon, Darlene Gorzela, Ann Marie Wachel, Jessica Alan, and the whole WB crew for giving us such a great place to work and create.”
Dean Zupancic – 2nd Oscar nomination
“I couldn’t be more happy! I’m so proud of this movie and everyone involved. My initial reaction was a little bit of panic because we were the last names being read. Once we got the nomination I said a silent prayer of thanks and texted Tom saying we’re in!”
Jason Ruder – 1st Oscar nomination
“I’m so honored and grateful for this morning’s nomination. I am so overjoyed and thankful for our sound and mixing team and also especially thankful for Alan Murray, Jay Cassidy and Bradley Cooper. I’ve never been a part of anything like this group. Still amazed at the creative and team experience…”
Steve Morrow – 2nd Oscar nomination
“My wife and I woke up at 5am too excited to sleep, we started the Oscar announcement stream from Oscar.com and just watched the countdown in anticipation. We sat in bed clapping for everyone and then screaming each time we saw A Star is Born nominated. It is an absolute honor to be nominated and humbling to be considered amongst the other great films!”
“I am so excited for the entire A Star is Born family and I am eternally grateful for having been a part of it! Huge thank you to Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, we couldn’t have achieved this without their trust that we would be able to record their singing live. Watching the two of them perform live concerts during filming was absolutely unforgettable. Jumping on stage with Bradley and Matthew Libatique to quickly shoot on the Glastonbury stage may be the most exhilarating 4 minutes of my career! Bradley’s direction was so inspiring, and his vision is what made this movie so magical to work on and watch! So much gratitude to him, Lynette Howell, Billy Gerber, Ravi Mehta, and to my on-set crew Craig Dollinger, Michael Kuleta, and Nick Baxter and of course my wife Ten Morrow who has to deal with the long hours and stressed out husband- couldn’t have done it without them!”
AWARDS DAILY INTERVIEWS WITH NOMINEES – REACTIONS
Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi – Free Solo
Elizabeth: We are thrilled
What were you both doing this morning?
Elizabeth: We were in our apartment with our two kids who are five and three and they went to school a little bit late. Bob Eisenhardt, our editor who did Mura and Free Solo came over with his wife, and my brother was there. I don’t think my children have ever seen us so excited.
Jimmy: They didn’t know what was going on, but they knew their parents were very happy.
what is it like to see the love for Free Solo
Elizabeth: You never know how a film like this is going to land. This film took such profound commitment on the part of everyone involved, be it Alex, our crews, National Geographic.
Jimmy: The stakes were so high.
Elizabeth: Our true achievement was Alex being OK. It’s been amazing to see how audiences are responsible and saying that his courage inspires courage in them. This idea that if you work really hard, anything is possible, especially in these broken times. It’s been really inspiring and gratifying for us.
We just wanted to enjoy the moment. This recognition in this amazing year for documentary, we are very humbled.
Have you spoken to Alex yet? He tweeted his reaction.
Jimmy: He and Sanni were on the same line together.
Elizabeth: He was joking and said, “I’ve always wanted to go to the Oscars.” It was so funny.
Jimmy: He’s truly proud and excited. I think it’s been life-changing for him. Watching him evolve as it sinks in that people are connecting with him and his story. He started free soloing because it was easier for him to go and climb without a rope than it was for him to ask for a partner.
Ramell Ross – Hale County This Morning This Evening.
You’re on the East Coast, so what were you doing this morning when the nominations were announced?
I was sitting at a table, staring at a table, chewing off my fingernails with coffee in hand and my partner beside me. It’s alphabetical so if you don’t get called right away, you don’t get called.
What was it like hearing your documentary called out?
It doesn’t register because I have many dreams. I daydream and hallucinate all the time and let the entire go through. There’s not another Hale County. It’s surreal and out of body.
How did you celebrate?
I want to call every single person in the film and say, “We’re on the map.” The reason that film came to be was that I’ve never seen a creative exploration of the South in a documentary. To think that we attempted that and we got so far, how does it happen?
Did you speak to anyone from the doc?
He was quieter than I’ve ever heard him. He didn’t know what to think. He said, “It’s crazy that we’re getting attention for not sports or music.” He understands the normal stuff is what’s getting the attention.
Rayka Zehtabchi!. – Period. End of Sentence
Where did you watch the nominations?
I slept for about a total of one hour because how can you sleep when you’re hoping for news this big?! We all met at one of the High School girl’s houses. Her family invited the whole team over in typical PAD project fashion we met in her basement and watched the live stream and recorded our reaction that was filled with tears and emotions and screams. It was pretty remarkable to share that reaction with all of them.
What has it been like for you to be on this journey? We spoke back last year and here we are with it being an Oscar-nominated short?
I just got chills. As a filmmaker and activist when you’re coming on board to work on a project like this, you know you’re going to be in it for the long run. You never do it expecting to reach this high of an honor.
You’re doing it for the women and the cause and to ultimately eradicate period shaming and the taboos around menstruation. The coolest thing for me is the film is now on an international stage. What bigger stage do we have than the Academy Awards? The news has traveled so quickly to India. Since then, we installed that first machine, we’ve installed more machines and it seems like people all over the world are really responding to the film.
Having so many open, confident and awesome conversations about periods. To do it alongside a group of young women that I totally relate to has been the coolest experience. It’s so meaningful to me.