The 98th Academy Awards are set to honor the year’s best in film, and Austin has a historic moment: Ethan Hawke has earned his first Best Actor nomination for Blue Moon, a biopic about musical genius Lorenz Hart.
At a Glance
- Ethan Hawke becomes Austin’s first Oscar nominee.
- Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley return with Train Dreams.
- Guillermo del Toro adds Frankenstein to the Best Picture list.
- James Cameron’s teams earn nods for Avatar: Fire and Ash.
- The ceremony airs on ABC on March 15.
Oscar Nomination Highlights
The announcement, dominated by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners grabbing a record-breaking 16 nominations, also showcases several Austin-connected filmmakers.
Ethan Hawke Breaks Ground
Ethan Hawke-the first Austin native to reach the Best Actor ballot-delivers a tragicomic performance as Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon. The biopic also earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, awarded to Robert Kaplow, who previously penned the book that inspired Linklater’s Me and Orson Welles.
Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley Team Up Again
Fort Worth native Greg Kwedar, now an Austin transplant, and fellow Texan Clint Bentley bring Train Dreams to the Best Adapted Screenplay race. Their previous collaboration, Sing Sing, secured a nomination in 2023. Train Dreams, adapted from Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella, also vies for Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Adolpho Veloso), and Best Song with “Train Dreams” by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner.
Guillermo del Toro Adds to the List
Former Austinite and honorary Texan Guillermo del Toro earns two nominations for Frankenstein: a solo credit for Best Adapted Screenplay and a shared Best Picture nomination alongside producers J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber.
James Cameron’s Teams Earn Recognition
While the newly minted Austin resident James Cameron did not receive a personal nomination, his visual-effects and costume-design crews are honored for their work on Avatar: Fire and Ash.
What Happens Next
The 98th Academy Awards will take place Sunday, March 15, and will be broadcast on ABC. Fans and film enthusiasts across the globe can tune in to watch the culmination of this year’s cinematic achievements.
Key Takeaways
- Austin’s film community is gaining national recognition.
- Multiple Austin-based filmmakers are represented across major categories.
- The ceremony’s broadcast on ABC ensures worldwide viewership.
About the Publisher
Bold and uncensored, News Of Austin has served Austin’s independent news needs for over 40 years, covering the city’s political, environmental, and cultural landscape. Support this free-press mission by donating $5 or $10-or whatever you can afford-to keep journalism thriving in our community.
About the Author
Aiden V. Crossfield has reported on Austin’s growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, Aiden V. Crossfield is currently working on two books and a play.
