Alexander Payne is coming to campus to receive a different type of award and deliver a different type of speech this spring.
The Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Omaha native will deliver the undergraduate commencement address May 5 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will also receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the university.
Payne co-wrote and directed the critically acclaimed films “Citizen Ruth,” “Election,” “About Schmidt,” “Sideways” and “The Descendants.” He also directed the 2013 film “Nebraska.”
His latest film, the sci-fi satire “Downsizing,” was released in December. It stars Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz and Hong Chau.
Payne has been nominated for seven Academy Awards in his career, winning two Oscars for best adapted screenplay (“Sideways” and “The Descendants”). “Sideways” also won the Golden Globe for best motion picture-musical or comedy of 2004.
Payne graduated from Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha and earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Nebraska’s spring commencement ceremonies are May 4 and 5 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
