KU professor of Film & Media Studies Kevin Willmott has had a busy awards season. As a co-writer on Spike Lee’s newest film, “BlacKkKlansman,” Willmott has received numerous industry award nominations for his work on the script.
The biggest recognition Willmott received came during the Academy Awards at the end of February when Willmott took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The award capped off a wild month for Willmott who accepted the award onstage during the telecast with co-writers Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, and David Rabinowitz
Prior to securing his Oscar win, Willmott attended the Critic’s Choice awards in mid-January in Hollywood with stars of the film John David Washington and Adam Driver in addition to Lee. The film was nominated for numerous awards including for Best Adapted Screenplay.
While Willmott didn’t pick up the Critic’s Choice award for Best Adapted Screenplay, he won the BAFTA award in the same category a few weeks later. Check out Willmott on the red carpet below! (And listen for a KU shout out!)
“BlacKkKlansman” is not the first time Willmott has partnered with Lee. The two worked together on 2015’s “Chi-Raq” with Willmott serving as a co-writer with Lee who also directed the film.
Willmott also has an extensive list of films he’s produced and filmed in and around Kansas including “Jayhawkers”, which tells the story of Kansas basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain’s time at KU, “The Only Good Indian”, and “C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America” among others.
Check out Willmott’s IMDB page for a full list of his work and check out the KU Film & Media Studies website to see what’s new in the department!