Cord Jefferson Advocates for Risk-Taking in Hollywood After Winning Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

American Fiction writer Cord Jefferson, upon winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2024 Academy Awards, used his platform to advocate for more risk-taking in Hollywood. Competing against nominees like Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer,” Tony McNamara for “Poor Things,” and Jonathan Glazer for “The Zone of Interest,” Jefferson emphasized the importance of offering opportunities to emerging talent.

Expressing his gratitude to the Academy and his fellow filmmakers, Jefferson stated, “This means the world to me. Thank you so much to everybody who worked on the film.” He then urged the industry to take more chances in filmmaking, highlighting the need to support aspiring creatives who are eager for opportunities.

Acknowledging the risk-averse nature of the industry, Jefferson emphasized, “But $200 million dollar movies are also a risk, you know?” He proposed diversifying investments by producing a greater number of smaller-budget films, thereby providing more opportunities for emerging voices.

In a heartfelt conclusion, Jefferson expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him, stating, “Thank you all who worked on this movie for trusting a 40-year-old Black guy who has never directed anything before. It’s changed my life, thank you — I love you all, thank you so much.”