Cholodenko Film Scores Oscar Nods

Lisa Cholodenko

Los Angeles, California (January 25, 2011) — The Kids Are All Right, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, a former Yaddo resident, picked up four Academy Award nominations this morning, including one for best picture. This recognition is especially notable, as it marks only the second time in history that two films directed by women are in the race for the industry's top honor.

Cholodenko directed and co-wrote the screenplay for the comedy-drama about a married lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) whose relationship is tested when their children decide to bring their birth father (Mark Ruffalo) into their lives. The Kids Are All Right also is up for Oscars for best actress (Bening), best supporting actor (Ruffalo), and best script (Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg).

The Kids Are All Right was a breakout hit at Sundance 2010 and a big winner on the film festival circuit before opening in wide release in theaters last July. Earlier this month, the film scored two big wins at the Golden Globe Awards, taking home the trophy for best motion picture in a musical or comedy and a best actress award for Bening. The film also is nominated for three Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards (to be announced this weekend) and for four British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards (to be announced February 13).

Only eight best picture nominated films have been directed or co-directed by women in the history of the Academy Awards, and last year was the first time that two films directed by women were up for the top prize. Winter's Bone, directed by Debra Granik, is the other film directed by a woman in contention for best picture this year.

The 83rd Academy Award ceremony will be televised live on ABC Sunday, February 27.