Governor Kelly and the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission Congratulate Kevin Willmott

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission would like to congratulate Kansas filmmaker Kevin Willmott for winning the 2019 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Kevin was nominated for co-writing BlacKkKlansman with legendary director Spike Lee. This is Kevin’s second collaboration with Lee following his original screenplay for Chiraq. The two will pair again for the director’s upcoming feature, Da 5 Bloods.

Kevin also serves as a professor of Film & Media Studies at the University of Kansas where he has inspired generations of local filmmakers to pursue successful careers in the entertainment industry.

Governor Laura Kelly also congratulated Professor Willmott this morning.

“I’m pleased to congratulate KU professor and Junction City native Kevin Willmott on a well-deserved win last night at the Academy Awards. Kevin has spent his career inspiring and teaching young people to be storytellers while also challenging each of us with the stories of our past. He helps us to dig deep into our history and learn about what makes us Kansans and Americans,” said Governor Kelly. “I was honored this year when Kevin produced a short video for my inauguration to share the wonderful history of Kansas. I look forward to seeing what he does next in his impressive career.”

Kevin represents the best the state has to offer and Kansas is proud to be the state he calls home.