Two Fort Worth natives just got their first Oscar nominations
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From Cowtown to Tinseltown
Fort Worth director Greg Kwedar’s film “Sing Sing” is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor in a Leading Role at this year’s Oscars. Fort Worth musician Abraham Alexander is also nominated for the film for “Like a Bird” in the Best Original Song category.
Read all about Fort Worth’s road to the Academy Awards here.
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Fort Worth natives Greg Kwedar and Abraham Alexander are now first-time Oscar nominees.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nominations for the 97th Academy Awards early Thursday, ahead of the ceremony set for March 2. Retired talk show host Conan O’Brien is hosting the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Kwedar landed a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for his work on “Sing Sing,” where he served as producer/writer/director. He shares the nomination with fellow collaborators Clint Bentley, Clarence Maclin and John “Divine G” Whitfield.
Alexander landed a Best Original Song nomination for “Like A Bird” from “Sing Sing,” which he co-wrote with Austin-based Black Pumas musician Adrian Quesada.
Alexander shared his excitement on Instagram, saying he had no words to express that Oscar-nominated feeling.
“I’m still trying to find the breath to express how I feel right now but it’s falling short ... so for now,” Alexander wrote Thursday. “From the bottom of my heart, @theacademy thank you so much.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also took to Instagram to congratulate both Alexander and Kwedar.
“You are both an inspiration to many, and this city is so proud to be part of your story,” Parker wrote Thursday. “This is yet another example of excellence and talent that continue to put Fort Worth on the map.”
What is ‘Sing Sing’?
“Sing Sing” follows Divine G (Colman Domingo), who is imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit. He finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men.
The film is set in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York and follows the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program. Much of the “Sing Sing” cast is portrayed by former incarcerated performers, including Clarence Maclin.
“Sing Sing” had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and was released in theaters stateside in July 2024.
In total, the film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song and Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Domingo).
Kwedar graduated from Fort Worth’s Trinity Valley School in 2003.
He made his feature film debut in 2016 with “Transpecos,” which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival. “Sing Sing” is Kwedar’s second feature to date, although he has co-written a couple other films with Dallas native Clint Bentley, such as “Jockey” and “Train Dreams.”
At the 2024 Lone Star Film Festival in Fort Worth, Kwedar received the Maverick Award for his body of work, including “Sing Sing.” Kwedar currently resides in and is based out of Austin.
Alexander was born in Greece and moved to Texas at a young age.
He released his debut album “Sea/Sons” in 2023 and has collaborated with fellow Fort Worthian Leon Bridges numerous times. Alexander is based out of Fort Worth.
“Sing Sing” is still playing in select theaters. Find showtimes here.
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM.
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