Monday

Moonlight Wins Best Picture at the Oscars!

Kudos to Director Barry Jenkins and co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney the cast and crew involved with making the film "Moonlight."



It's a historic film for many reasons, but we at the DIYFilmFest want to honor it for it's DIY roots.

The director Barry Jenkins and the playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney are from a small community on the edge of Miami. The film was shot in 22 days, for a reported budget of 1.5 million. (IMDB lists it as 5 million, but the quote comes from the director.)

The film has already won many awards, aside from Best Picture at the Oscars.  The co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright, whose work has been onstage in Chicago and is also Winner of a 2013 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

Here's an excellent interview by Terry Gross and "Fresh Air" where they talk about the genesis of this film, and how it came into existence.

It's 40 minutes, and if you're curious as to how someone goes from telling a true life story to winning the Oscar, it's worth a listen.

It's a true do it yourself film experience, and should remind all filmmakers that everything begins with a good story, a point of view, or something in the heart that needs to be shared. 

Congratulations to Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney and all those who worked on this low budget film for bringing this story to the screen!

No comments: