Ryan Coogler took home the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 98th Oscars for his film Sinners, delivering an emotional speech that reflected on his family, collaborators and the community that helped shape his career.
Taking the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Coogler immediately acknowledged his nerves while thanking the Academy for recognizing the film nearly a year after its release.
“Please sit down, cause I’m very nervous and they’re going to play me off,” Coogler joked. “I want to thank the Academy for thinking of our movie that came out almost a year ago. This is an incredible honor.”
The filmmaker also paid tribute to his fellow nominees and the friendships formed throughout the awards season. “I want to thank my fellow nominees,” he said. “Thank y’all for the gifts that your movies were and for your friendship over the past year and months.”
Coogler then turned his attention to the team behind the film, thanking the cast, crew and studio partners who helped bring Sinners to life. “I want to thank everybody who was involved with this movie, starting with Warner Bros,” Coogler said. “Mike and Pam, you’re here. David’s here somewhere. Everybody, all my cast and crew, please stand up. You guys are amazing.”
He singled out producers Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler, praising their partnership on the film.“You guys are the best producers in the world,” he said. Coogler also used the moment to speak directly to his wife and family.
“Zinzi, you’re the best wife and mom in the world,” he said. “Every day I get to spend with you is better than the one that came before it.”
He thanked his parents for supporting him from the beginning of his journey growing up in Oakland and Richmond, California. “Thank y’all for all the memories. Thank y’all for making me believe in myself,” he said.
The speech ended with a heartfelt message to his children watching from home. “To my babies that are at home watching, I apologize for all the time away,” Coogler said. “Dad loves you. Memories are all we have. I hope I’ll give you some great ones.”
“When y’all are blessed to live a long life and dad becomes just a memory, I want y’all to remember this one thing,” he added. “I love y’all more than anything.”
The win capped a strong night for Sinners, which also earned Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.
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