When Kimberly Steward was at home in St. Louis making media rounds for the film “Manchester by the Sea” just ahead of its nationwide theatrical release this past October, she didn’t want to entertain the Oscar buzz surrounding the film.
The idea of it seemed too farfetched – too much of a fairytale ending for the first-time feature film producer.
“If anything happens with any kind of awards, I will definitely be giving Oprah a shout out,” Steward said.
If “Manchester” were to be nominated for a “Best Picture” Academy Award, Steward would be only the second African American woman producer to have a film in the running for the most coveted award of the film season. Oprah Winfrey is the other.
“What she has done as a filmmaker and a producer has opened doors for me and so many others,” Steward said of Winfrey. “If that actually happens, I will actually bow and curtsey to her because she paved the way.”
It happened. “Best Picture” was one of six Academy Award nominations for “Manchester” when the announcements were made last Tuesday (Jan. 24).
“This is exciting and surreal,” Steward told The Huffington Post’s Zahara Hill. “I’m just beyond belief.”
With a diverse mix of nominees both in front of and behind the scenes, Steward has the chance to strike Oscar gold with her debut as producer/financier thanks to “Manchester.”
“As an African American woman, it’s important to have that representation off screen too,” Steward said of her role in bringing the film to mass audiences.
Steward and her K. Period Media (which she operates with producing partner Lauren Beck) put forth the necessary financing for the Kenneth Lonegran feature to see the light of day.
“We had nobody except K Period,” Matt Damon said during a “Produced By” panel. A fellow producer along with Steward, the concept of the film was Damon’s idea – and he was originally set to star in the drama. Scheduling conflicts meant that Casey Affleck would assume the role of Lee Chandler, a reclusive New England janitor forced to confront his painful past and mend broken familial ties.
The film – and Affleck’s performance in particular – was praised by critics from its premiere at Sundance last winter.
While at Sundance, Amazon paid $10 million for the film’s distribution rights. Manchester” was believed to be a shoe-in for several honors for the next awards season.
First came the Golden Globes – where “Manchester” earned a total of five nominations. Casey Affleck took home “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.” Steward was the first person Affleck reached out to embrace when his name was announced at last month’s ceremony.
He also made mention of Steward and K. Period Media in his acceptance speech – giving her and her company credit for helping make the film possible.
“It’s a blessing, but it’s also inspiring in some ways,” Steward said of working on “Manchester.”
“We are in it to tell hard and true stories that people can connect with. We really hope to make an impact – whether we are making a documentary or making a film. I think we will have an eclectic mix of genres of the type of films that we will do, but always elevated material… always elevated.”
She says she’s looking to work with people willing to shake things up in Hollywood, and doing so herself – not only by the type of content produced, but through her intention as she operates within the industry.
“It’s very much about the script and about the filmmaker and the creatives you’re working with,” Steward said. “But it’s also about the ‘I know God had me in it because I am supposed to do something for other people.’ That’s the biggest part of my purpose.
To treat people fair, be an honest person, be transparent, uplift people, encourage them, have patience – and operate from a place of patience, kindness and love.”
