Questlove wins Best Original Documentary Oscar for Summer Of Soul

Questlove has won the Best Original Documentary Oscar at the 94th Academy Awards.

Having been nominated for the gong last month, the Roots drummer took home the award for the film ‘Summer Of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’ at the Los Angeles ceremony last night (27th March). Marking his directorial debut, it was the only music-based feature to make the shortlist for the Best Original Documentary category.

Winning out over films including ‘Attica’ and ‘Writing with Fire’, ‘Summer of Soul’ centers on the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity. 

“This is such a stunning moment for me right now, but it’s not about me,” said Questlove. “It’s about marginalized people in Harlem that needed to heal from pain. Just know that in 2022, this is not just a 1969 story about marginalized people in Harlem.”

Elsewhere, Billie Eilish and Finneas won the award for Best Original Song for James Bond theme ‘No Time To Die’, while Hans Zimmer was awarded Best Original Song for his soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune remake.