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Kemp Powers

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Kemp Powers
Powers in 2023
Born (1973-10-30) October 30, 1973 (age 51)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
EducationHoward University
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • playwright
  • director
Years active2012–present
Notable work

Kemp Powers is an American playwright, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for his play One Night in Miami and the 2020 film adaptation of the same name, as well as for co-directing the animated films Soul (2020) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). His screenplay for One Night in Miami... earned him a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the 93rd Academy Awards,[1] while his work on Soul made him the first African-American to co-direct a Disney animated feature.[2]

Career

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After writing the 2012 short film This Day Today, he scripted the 2013 play One Night in Miami,[3][4][5] which was adapted into a feature film directed by Regina King.[6] In 2017, Powers was brought onboard to write several scripts for Star Trek: Discovery season one episodes.[7] In 2018, he drafted his second play Little Black Shadows.[8][9]

In the same year, he co-wrote the script for Pixar's Soul, with Pete Docter and Mike Jones, as well as co-directing the film with Docter, making his directorial debut.[10][11] An alumnus of Howard University, Powers is the first African-American co-director in Disney and Pixar history.[12] On December 16, 2020, Powers hosted the first three episodes of the podcast Soul Stories, which was released as a Spotify exclusive. In the episodes, Powers interviewed several people who worked on the film mainly about their mentors and careers, as well as some behind-the-scenes stories behind the making of the film.[13]

In 2021, he appeared in the podcast Spark & Fire,[14][15] prior to writing his third play Christa McAuliffe's Eyes Were Blue.[16] In the same year, he signed on to direct Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and its sequel Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse with Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin K. Thompson.[17] In March 2023, Powers premiered his fourth play The XIXth (The Nineteenth), which chronicles the lives of two Black American sprinters who raised their fists in protest during the 1968 Summer Olympics games.[18] In November 2024, he signed on to write and direct the crime film Lunik Heist for Searchlight Pictures.[19]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Writer Notes
2012 This Day Today No Yes Short film
2017 Star Trek: Discovery No Yes 5 episodes[7]
2020 One Night in Miami... No Yes Also executive producer[20][21]
Soul Co-director Yes Co-writer with Pete Docter and Mike Jones[22]
2023 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Yes No With Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin K. Thompson[17]
TBA Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse Yes No

Plays

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Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Film Result Ref.
Academy Awards April 25, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [1]
March 10, 2024 Best Animated Feature Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Nominated [26]
AAFCA Awards April 7, 2021 Best Screenplay One Night in Miami Won [27]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards January 4, 2021 Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay Nominated [28]
Annie Awards April 16, 2021 Best Direction – Feature Soul Nominated [29]
Best Writing – Feature Won
February 17, 2024 Best Direction – Feature Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Won [30]
Black Reel Awards April 11, 2021 Outstanding Breakthrough Screenwriter One Night in Miami... Nominated [31]
Outstanding Screenplay, Adapted or Original Nominated
Soul Nominated
Celebration of Cinema and Television December 4, 2023 Animation Award Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Won [32]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 21, 2020 Best Original Screenplay Soul Nominated [33][34]
Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards March 7, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated [35]
Denver Film Critics Society January 18, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated [36]
Florida Film Critics Circle December 21, 2020 Best Original Screenplay Soul Nominated [37]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Animated Feature Won [38][39]
Harvey Awards October 12, 2023 Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Won [40][41]
Hawaii Film Critics Society January 13, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [42]
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Awards June 30, 2023 Best Director Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Won [43]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards January 18, 2021 Best Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [44]
Hugo Awards December 18, 2021 Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form Soul Nominated [45]
Indiana Film Journalists Association December 21, 2020 Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [46]
Breakout of the Year Nominated
NAACP Image Awards March 27, 2021 Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Nominated [47][48]
Soul Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association January 4, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [49]
Online Film Critics Society Awards January 25, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated [50]
Satellite Awards February 15, 2021 Best Original Screenplay Soul Nominated [51]
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards January 17, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay One Night in Miami Nominated [52]
Writers Guild of America Awards March 21, 2021 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated [53]

References

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  1. ^ a b 2021 Oscar Nominations List Academy Awards Nominees
  2. ^ How Pete Docter and Kemp Powers brought the first Black Pixar protagonist to life in 'Soul'
  3. ^ Verini, Bob (August 5, 2013). "L.A. Legit Review: 'One Night in Miami...'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Meisel, Myron (June 11, 2013). "'One Night In Miami...': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Valence Media. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  5. ^ Dowd, Vincent (October 11, 2016). "Muhammad Ali play puts icons of black America on stage". BBC News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  6. ^ Ray-Ramos, Dino (July 1, 2019). "Regina King To Direct Adaptation Of 'One Night In Miami'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Trumbore, Dave (August 24, 2019). "First Images for Pixar's 'Soul' Revealed; Cast and More Musical Details Announced". Collider. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Marchese, Eric (April 17, 2018). "'Little Black Shadows' Reflects the Everyday Savagery of American Slavery". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Press Photos 'Little Black Shadows'". South Coast Repertory. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  10. ^ Romano, Nick (November 6, 2019). "Pixar bares its Soul in first look at film with Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  11. ^ Sherlock, Ben (October 13, 2019). "Kemp Powers And Mike Jones Have Co-Written The Script With Pete Docter". Screen Rant. Valnet, Inc. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  12. ^ Miller, Natalie (December 5, 2020). "From the Halls of Howard to the Director's Seat at Pixar: How a Howard Alumni Found His Passion". The Hilltop. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Soul Stories by Disney". Spotify. December 16, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Spark & Fire - Episode 1: Pixar's Kemp Powers on "Soul" (Show Credits at end of episode)". Spark & Fire on Apple Podcasts. January 4, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "Podcast launches with conversations from Bill T. Jones, Isabel Allende, Yo-Yo Ma, Kemp Powers and more". Art Daily. January 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Christa McAuliffe's Eyes Were Blue". Center Theatre Group. February 4, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Vary, Adam B. (April 19, 2021). "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Sequel Snares New Directing Trio (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "The XIXth (The Nineteenth)". The Old Globe. October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  19. ^ Kit, Borys (November 1, 2024). "Jared Leto, John Mulaney and Lupita Nyong'o to Star in True-Life Caper 'Lunik Heist'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  20. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (July 10, 2019). "Regina King to Make Feature Film Directorial Debut With 'One Night In Miami'". /Film. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  21. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 7, 2020). "Regina King Directing Debut 'One Night In Miami' Underway With Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge & Leslie Odom Jr As '60s Icons". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  22. ^ Snetiker, Marc (August 24, 2019). "Pixar's 'Soul' cast Tina Fey, Jamie Foxx, Daveed Diggs and more". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  23. ^ LADCC Awards Turn Critical CTG
  24. ^ "'One Night in Miami' with Malcolm X, Ali Brown, and Cooke". This Stage. June 7, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "Olivier awards 2017: full list of nominations". The Guardian. March 6, 2017. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Oscar Nominations 2024 List: Nominees by Category - Oscars 2024 News | 96th Academy Awards". ABC. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  27. ^ "2021 AAFCA Award Winners". African-American Film Critics Association. September 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  28. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). ""Nomadland" Triumphs at Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  29. ^ Flores, Terry (March 3, 2021). "2021 Annie Award Nominations: 'Soul,' 'Wolfwalkers' and Netflix Lead". Variety. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  30. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 11, 2024). "'Nimona' Leads Annie Awards Animated Feature Competition With Nine Noms; Snubs Include 'Wish,' Which Was Shut Out". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  31. ^ Fraley, Jason (February 18, 2021). "Regina King's 'One Night in Miami' leads Black Reel Awards with 15 nominations". WTOP-FM. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  32. ^ Hammond, Pete (November 13, 2023). "Jeffrey Wright, America Ferrera, Greta Lee Among Honorees For Critics Choice Celebration Of Cinema & Television Black, Latino & AAPI Achievements". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  33. ^ Adams, Ryan (December 18, 2020). "Chloe Zhao's Nomadland Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2020 Nominations". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  34. ^ Pederson, Erik (December 21, 2020). "Chicago Film Critics Awards: "Nomadland" Scores Best Picture, Director, Actress, and Two Others". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  35. ^ Davis, Clayton (February 8, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards: "Mank" Leads With 12 Nominations, Netflix Makes History With Four Best Picture Nominees". Variety. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  36. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 18, 2021). "The 2020 Denver Film Society Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  37. ^ Matt, Neglia (December 17, 2020). "The 2020 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Nominations | Next Best Picture". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  38. ^ Oganesyan, Natalie; Moreau, Jordan (February 3, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  39. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (February 28, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: The Full Winners List". Variety. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  40. ^ Whitbrook, James (August 11, 2023). "Check Out This Year's Harvey Award Nominees". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  41. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 14, 2023). "Chainsaw Man Manga Wins Best Manga Harvey Award for 3rd Straight Year". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  42. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 13, 2021). "The 2020 Hawaii Film Critics Society Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  43. ^ Anderson, Erik (June 30, 2023). "Hollywood Critics Association 2023 Midseason HCA Awards: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Past Lives, Air are Top Winners". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  44. ^ Darling, Cary (January 22, 2021). "Houston Film Critics name "Nomadland" best film". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  45. ^ "2021 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. January 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  46. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 21, 2020). ""Nomadland" Tops Indiana Film Journalists Association, Leslie Odom Jr. Wins for "One Night in Miami"". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  47. ^ Gibbs, Adrienne. "Netflix, HBO Lead NAACP Image Awards 2021 Nominations". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  48. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 2, 2021). "NAACP Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With "Bridgerton," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" & "Da 5 Bloods"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  49. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). ""Minari" Wins Big With North Carolina Film Critics Association, Chloé Zhao's Directing Winning Streak Continues". Variety. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  50. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 25, 2021). "Online Films Critics Society Unveils Annual Film Awards Recipients, Names "Nomadland" Best Picture". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  51. ^ Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  52. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 17, 2021). "The 2020 St. Louis Film Critics Association Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  53. ^ Davis, Clayton (February 16, 2021). "2021 WGA Awards Nominations: 'Borat 2' and 'Judas and the Black Messiah' Make The Cut". Variety. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
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