Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches | Margaret Herrick Library | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

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Year: 2008 (81st) Academy Awards

Category: Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Film Title: Slumdog Millionaire

Winner: Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Presenter: Steve Martin, Tina Fey

Date & Venue: February 22, 2009; Kodak Theatre

SIMON BEAUFOY:
Thank you very much indeed. There are certain places in the universe you never imagine standing. For me it's the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium, and here. It's a tremendous honor, so thank you to the Academy.

I certainly wouldn't be standing here tonight without Vikas Swarup, who wrote the book without which none of "Slumdog" would ever have happened. So thank you, Vikas. Tessa Ross from Film4, who shoved the manuscript into my hand and said, "This is yours, you must go to India." Thank you. My parents who've always supported me throughout everything. My wife Jane, for whom repressed English writers have to write love stories, 'cause they can't really say what they mean. Susan Landau and Charlotte Knight, both my manager and my agent. And of course the wonderful Dev, the wonderful Latika, and the cast and crew of the film who have taught me so much about India and so much about writing, and they've all sort of changed my life. And finally, thank you so much to Danny and Christian, the other two musketeers. Thank you very much.

© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
[Note: All winners are present except where noted; NOT all winners may have spoken.]