Cord Jefferson Wins Adapted Screenplay Oscar for ‘American Fiction’

Cord Jefferson won an Oscar on Sunday for his debut film “American Fiction.” The author and director took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay on the 96th Annual Academy Awards.

As theGrio previously reported, Jefferson’s “American Fiction” relies on Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure.” Starring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown and more. The film tells the story of author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright), who struggles with the publishing industry and the whole media looking for him to work, i.e. “Black” is enough. The satirical drama won quite a few accolades throughout the awards season, with Jefferson winning the Film Independent Spirit Awards for best screenplay and the British Academy Film BAFTA.

“My God, thank you so much,” an astonished Jefferson said in his speech, before thanking the academy and everybody who worked on the film. He then made an impassioned appeal to studios to take more risks with latest talent.

“I’ve talked a lot about how many people missed this movie… I’m afraid it sounds vindictive at times,” he continued. Joking that this wasn’t the case because he had “worked very hard” to now not be vengeful, he described it as “a request for recognition and acknowledgment that there are so many people who want the chance” he has been given.

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He then added that he understands that the film industry is “not afraid of risk,” but that $200 million movies are also dangerous. “Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies.” He added that the subsequent Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan and others are “out there.”

He again thanked everyone who worked on the film for “trusting a 40-year-old black guy who had never directed anything before.” He concluded: “It changed my life.”

Jefferson, an Emmy Award winner for his work on the acclaimed HBO series “Watchmen,” made his film debut in “American Fiction” after years of working in television and previously as a journalist. As previously reported by theGrio, Jefferson has also worked on series similar to “Succession” and “Master of None.”