Sundance ‘21 winner ‘CODA’ nominated for 3 Oscars including Best Picture

In 'CODA,' Emilia Jones plays Ruby, the sole hearing member of a deaf family. Photo: Apple

PARK CITY, Utah — The drama film CODA, which won four awards at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, was nominated for three Oscars this week, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Full Oscars nominee list

Written and directed by Siân Heder, the movie won the Audience Award, the Directing Award, the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, and the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category at the 2021 festival.

The nomination makes history for Apple, which bought the film for $25 million and released it in theaters and on its streaming platform Apple TV+ in August.

Based on the French film La Famille Bélier, the plot is centered around Ruby (Emilia Jones), a CODA (“child of deaf adult”) who serves as an interpreter for her parents and works on her family’s fishing boat every day before school. As Ruby discovers her individual talent with music, she is forced to reconcile between her own dreams and the obligations she feels to her family.

Troy Kotsur, who plays Ruby’s father in the film, also made history, becoming the first deaf actor in 35 years to land an Oscar nom.

“It was a really scrappy production. It was a little indie movie and people poured their hearts into it, and it’s just so incredible to see the movie get recognized on such a big scale,” the director told Deadline. “I’m just so unbelievably moved by this cast, and their commitment to these characters and the story, and what this kind of representation does for this community.”

You can stream CODA on Apple TV+.

The 94th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 27.