Chicago’s film community had reason to celebrate at the 98th Academy Awards when The Singers, co-produced by Chicago- and Los Angeles-based actor and producer Mike McNamara, tied for Best Live Action Short Film in a rare Oscars split decision.
The Academy awarded the category to two films on Sunday night. The Singers, directed by Sam A. Davis and produced by Jack Piatt, shared the prize with Two People Exchanging Saliva, directed by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata.
Presenter Kumail Nanjiani made it clear the moment was no joke when he announced the result. “It’s a tie. I’m not joking. It’s actually a tie,” Nanjiani told the audience before revealing both winners.
The tie marks just the seventh time in Oscar history that two winners have shared a category and only the second time for short film.
The Singers accepted the award first, with Davis and Piatt delivering remarks before the second winning team took the stage. When the filmmakers behind Two People Exchanging Saliva accepted their Oscar, Musteata acknowledged the unusual moment.
“We are so happy to be sharing this Oscar with The Singers,” she said. “We love all of our fellow nominees.” Singh used his speech to reflect on the power of art. “Maybe it takes 10 years, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theater and ballet, and also cinema,” he said.
Host Conan O’Brien couldn’t resist a joke after the back-to-back speeches. “I just want to say congratulations to both winners,” he said. “You just ruined 22 million Oscar pools.”
For Chicago, the win carries an extra connection through McNamara. Named by Newcity as one of the top 50 people in Chicago’s film industry, McNamara has built a career both in front of and behind the camera.
As an actor, McNamara has appeared in the NBC drama Chicago Fire as Jim Jordan, the misguided brother in law of Matt Casey, and has starred in the sci fi thriller The Replacement, which played more than 75 film festivals worldwide and won multiple Best Short Film awards including honors at Sci Fi London, the San Jose International Short Film Festival, and the Madrid Sci Fi Film Festival.
His producing credits include the Cannes-selected film They, the Slamdance feature Savage Youth, and Colin Francis Costello’s award-winning short-film thriller, Storage.
McNamara told Reel Chicago, “Our director Sam Davis has called The Singers a love letter to underdogs, and this historic night cements that title. For me, I’m just grateful to be a small part of such a talented and earnest team. As Sam has said time and again, there’s something powerful about making something ambitious that also makes people feel good.” Watch his reaction below:
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