Alum's work nominated for Oscars

For the second time in five years, the work of a Brandeis alum has been nominated for the movie industry's biggest prize.

"Winter's Bone," which was directed and co-written by Debra Granik '85, is one of nine nominees for an Academy Award for best motion picture of 2010. Granik is also up for an Oscar for best adapted screenplay with co-writer Anne Rosellini. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated in the lead actress category for her portrayal of 17-year-old Ree Dolly.

The Oscars will be presented Feb. 27 in Hollywood.

In 2006, "Capote," which Caroline Baron '83 co-produced, lost out to "Crash" for best picture of 2005. "Capote" was also nominated for best actor, supporting actress, director, and adapted screenplay.

"Winter's Bone" tells the story of a teenage girl struggling to survive in the drug-infested Ozark Mountains while searching for her missing father. The movie won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Drama at last year's Sundance Film Festival.

Granik's first feature-length film, "Down to the Bone," won the Sundance Dramatic Directing Award in 2004.

Baron, who received the Brandeis Alumni Achievement Award in 2008, has also produced "Monsoon Wedding" (2001), "Flawless" (1999), "Addicted to Love" (1997), "Kama Sutra" (1997), and "The Santa Clause" (1994).