Two New York University filmmakers from the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at the Tisch School of the Arts were big winners at the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Two NYU Filmmakers Win Oscars!
Luke Matheny with his Oscar for Best Live Action Short "God of Love"

Luke Matheny’s Thesis Film “God of Love” Wins Live Action Short 

Lora Hirschberg Wins for Sound Mixing with “Inception”

Oscar Co-Host and Film Student James Franco Gives Shout Out to NYU from Stage  

Two New York University filmmakers from the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at the Tisch School of the Arts were big winners at the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, held in Los Angeles on Sunday.  This was the first Oscar telecast in history to have an NYU student hosting the awards.  James Franco ’11 (MFA candidate, Kanbar, Film), who was also an Oscar nominee this year, shared co-hosting responsibilities with Anne Hathaway. 

Luke Matheny’s (’10), MFA alumnus, won an Oscar for Live Action Short for his thesis film God of Love.  The film tells the story of a love triangle between two musicians and a young woman and takes a surprising turn when one of them finds a collection of magical darts. 

Lora Hirschberg (’85), BFA alumna, earned the Oscar for Sound Mixing for her work on the film Inception. The big Hollywood film about dream invaders won a total of four trophies.

In addition to alumni winning Oscars, one of the highlights of last night’s telecast for the NYU community was a surprise shout out by co-host Franco to NYU when fellow Graduate filmmaker Matheny won his award.

In all, 15 members of the Tisch School community were nominated for the prestigious award this year.  They were: 

 Actor in a Leading Role

James Franco ’11 (MFA Candidate, Kanbar, Film) in 127 Hours

Art Direction

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, set decoration: Stephanie McMillan ’87 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Best Picture

The Social Network, Producers: Scott Rudin (Dean’s Council), Michael De Luca ’95 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

True Grit, Producers: Scott Rudin (Dean’s Council), Joel Coen ’78 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Directing

True Grit, Joel Coen ’78 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Documentary (Feature)

Waste Land, Lucy Walker ’98 (MFA, Kanbar, Film)

Film Editing

The Fighter, Pamela Martin ’90 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Short Film (Live Action)

God of Love, Luke Matheny ’10 (MFA, Kanbar, Film)

Sound Editing

Tron: Legacy, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle ’84 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Sound Mixing

Inception, Lora Hirschberg ’85 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Toy Story 3, screenplay by Michael Arndt ’87 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV);

True Grit, written for the screen by Joel Coen ’78 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV)

Winter’s Bone, adapted for the screen by Debra Granik ’01 (MFA, Kanbar, Film)



Lora Hirschberg

James Franco

Press Contact

Richard Pierce
Richard Pierce
(212) 998-6796