Just one year after Ava DuVernay made history as the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Award at Sundance Film Festival for “Middle of Nowhere”, director Ryan Cooglercontinued the tradition of Black excellence by nabbing both the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for his film “Fruitvale.” According to Shadow and Act, only three other films have won both the Audience and Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
“Fruitvale” which tales the story of Oscar Grant’s tragic shooting by a transit officer in Oakland California, has received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike for its emotional authenticity. Earlier this week, Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein purchased “Fruitvale” for $2 million dollars, to be distributed by Weinstein Films. Weinstein has an impeccable record of getting his projects on the awards rosters – two of his current films “Django Unchained” and “Silver Linings Playbook” are up for multiple Academy Award nominations. Expect Coogler and “Fruitvale” starMichael B. Jordan to hit the red carpet at next year’s Oscar Awards.
Congrats to Ryan Coogler and the cast and crew of “Fruitvale”!!!
