Oscar Grant-Inspired ‘Fruitvale’ Wins Top Prizes At Sundance

Filmmaker, 26, shouts out Oakland, Calif. in his acceptance speech

First-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s hit the jackpot over the weekend. On Saturday, the 26-year-old accepted the top audience and grand jury prizes at the Sundance Film Festival for “Fruitvale,” based on the true story of Oscar Grant, who was 22 years old when he was shot in the back by a public transit cop in Oakland, Calif. Coogler wrote and directed the much-buzzed-about drama. Even better, the film has been acquired by the Weinstein Co. for distribution rights. “To get this award means that it had a profound impact on the audience that saw it, on the people that were responsible for picking it up,” Coogler said in his acceptance speech. “And this goes back to my home, to the Bay Area, where Oscar Grant lived, breathed, slept, loved, fought, had fun, and survived for 22 years.” (Associated Press + Reuters)

The film's stars, Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and actor Michael B. Jordan, talk about their roles in the film:

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]