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American Fiction‘s Cord Jefferson is officially an Oscar winner — and he’s pleading with Hollywood studios to give more up and coming creatives a shot at their own golden statuette.
While accepting the award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards, Jefferson used his speech to acknowledge how many people had passed on his film about a frustrated novelist who struggles to reconcile with the establishments that profit off of Black entertainment relying on offensive tropes to do so.
But eventually, someone said yes, and it led him to his first Oscar. He called this moment “a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given.”
“I understand that this is a risk averse industry. I get it. But $200 million movies are also a risk, and it doesn’t always work out, but you take the risk anyway. And instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies,” he continued.
Jefferson explained he just felt “so much joy” being on stage accepting the award, just as he did while making American Fiction.
“I want other people to experience that joy, and they’re out there,” he explained. “They just want a shot, and we can give them one. This has changed my life. Thank you all who worked on this movie for trusting a 40-year-old Black guy who’s never directed anything before.”
Jefferson is also nominated for Best Picture at Sunday’s ceremony as a producer for American Fiction. The film itself has four nominations, including Sterling K. Brown for Best Supporting Actor.
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