Montana is going to the Oscars.
Alexander Payne’s new film “Nebraska,” which was shot in several locations in Billings and Laurel in late 2012, was nominated for six Academy Awards last week. The dramatic comedy was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Payne), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Bruce Dern), Best Supporting Actress (June Squibb), Best Original Screenplay (Bob Nelson), and Best Cinematography (Phedon Papamichael).
The film was precertified with Montana’s film incentive program, the Big Sky on the Big Screen Act, and brought a total economic impact of $370,500 to the state, according to the Montana Film Office.
“We were excited to hear the announcement. Results like these prove how valuable Montana’s great locations and high-quality production professionals can be to a film,” said Montana Film Commissioner Deny Staggs.
The 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony is March 2.
The Montana Film Office provided the Beacon with a list of previous Oscar-nominated films that feature the beauty of Big Sky Country:
“Little Big Man,” 1971
“Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,” 1975
“Heaven’s Gate,” 1982
“Runaway Train,” 1986
“The Untouchables,” 1988
“A River Runs Through It,” 1993
“What Dreams May Come,” 1999
“The Horse Whisperer,” 1999
“Beethoven’s 2nd,” 1994
“Forest Gump,” 1995
“Winged Migration,” 2003
“Chasing Ice,” 2012