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John Ridley Biography

Birth Name:John Ridley

Birth Place:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Director, Actor

Fast Facts

Graduated from New York University in 1987
Started out as a stand-up comic
Quote: "[On creating quality projects] “If there’s one thing people know about me, it’s that you’re not going to get ratings; you’re not going to make money․ I hope that I’ve paid back in quality, and being able to at least be part of the conversation․""
Often works on film and TV projects that deal with the topic of race
Has worked as a commentator for NPR
Wrote the novel "Stray Dogs," which was adapted into the film "U Turn․"
Wrote the novel "Spoils of War," which was adapted into the film "Three Kings․"

Awards

1997Jury Prize-Best Director: winner
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2000SEFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2000WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted): nominated
2005WGA Award (TV)-Animation: nominated
2013AAFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2013EDA Award-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013AFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013BFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013Black Reel-Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted: nominated
2013Capri Adapted Screenplay Award-: winner
2013CFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013DFWFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2013FFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013Golden Schmoes-Best Screenplay of the Year: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2013Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television): nominated
2013IFJA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2013ICP Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2013KCFCC Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
2013OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013PFCS Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: winner
2013SDFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2013SFFCC Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
2013Screenplay Competition-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2013SEFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2013Bronze Horse-Best Film: nominated
2013UFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2013WAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014AACTA International Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2014Oscar-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014Hollywood Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014Biografilm 10 Years Celebrating Lives Award-: winner
2014Black Reel-Outstanding Screenplay (Adapted or Original), Motion Picture: winner
2014COFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014DFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2014GAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
2014Humanitas Prize-Feature Film Category: winner
2014Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture - (Theatrical or Television): winner
2014ICS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014INOCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014IOMA-Best Adapted Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura non originale): nominated
2014ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: nominated
2014NCFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014OFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: winner
2014Audience Award-Festival Favorites: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2014USC Scripter Award-: winner
2014VFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2015Black Reel-Outstanding Screenplay (Original or Adapted), Motion Picture: nominated
2015CCOP-Best Adapted Screenplay (Melhor Argumento Adaptado): winner
2015Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: nominated
2015IOFCP Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2016Black Reel-Outstanding Original or Adapted Screenplay, TV Movie or Limited Series: winner
2016Black Reel-Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series: winner
2016Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series: nominated
2016PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Screenplay/Writing, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2018duPont-Columbia Award-Documentary Feature: winner
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Documentary Feature: nominated
2018Emmy-Outstanding Historical Documentary: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Directing, Drama Series: nominated
2020Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay of the Decade: nominated
2025Cinema for Peace Award-Cinema for Peace Dove for Women's Empowerment: nominated