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UCLA alumnus Alexander Payne, who graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1990, is one of five directors who have been nominated for this year’s Academy Award for best director.
His film “Nebraska,” a drama about the struggles of a senile father who demands to travel with his son across several states to submit a million-dollar sweepstakes prize he receives in the mail, is nominated for six competitive categories at the 86th Academy Awards. The nominees were announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday morning.
“Nebraska” is nominated under the categories of best picture, best director, best actor in a leading role (Bruce Dern), best actress in a supporting role (June Squibb), best original screenplay and best cinematography, though Payne himself is only nominated under the category of best director.
Filmed entirely in black and white, “Nebraska” has already received notable international acclaim, including a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, the Satellite Award for best ensemble and five Golden Globe nominations, as well as rankings on numerous critics’ end-of-year “best-of” lists.
Payne’s competition includes Alfonso Cuaron (“Gravity”), David O. Russell (“American Hustle”), Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) and Martin Scorsese (“The Wolf of Wall Street”). Payne has previously won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay twice, for “Sideways” and “The Descendants.” Both films also earned him nominations for best directing, though he lost both races.
The winners of the 86th Academy Awards, which will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will be announced at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual ceremony on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre.
Compiled by Sebastian Torrelio, A&E; senior staff.
Correction: Alexander Payne received a Master of Fine Arts degree from UCLA.