# The Laramie Project (film)

The Laramie Project is a 2002 drama film written and directed by Moisés Kaufman and starring Nestor Carbonell, Christina Ricci, Dylan Baker, Terry Kinney, and Lou Ann Wright. Based on the play of the same name, the film tells the story of the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was first broadcast on HBO in March 2002.

## Cast

* Néstor Carbonell as Moisés Kaufman
* Christina Ricci as Romaine Patterson
* Dylan Baker as Rulon Stacey
* Terry Kinney as Dennis Shepard
* Lou Ann Wright as Judy Shepard
* Mark Webber as Aaron McKinney
* Laura Linney as Sherry Johnson
* Peter Fonda as Dr. Cantwore
* Jeremy Davies as Jedadiah Schultz
* Camryn Manheim as Rebecca Hillicker
* Andy Paris as Stephen Belber
* Grant Varjas as Greg Pierotti
* Kelli Simpkins as Leigh Fondakowski
* Clea DuVall as Amanda Gronich
* James Murtaugh as Reverend Fred Phelps
* Frances Sternhagen as Marge Murray
* Michael Emerson as Reverend
* Summer Phoenix as Jen Malmskog
* Margo Martindale as Trish Steger
* Steve Buscemi as Doc O'Connor
* Greg Pierotti as Jon Peacock
* Janeane Garofalo as Catherine Connolly
* John McAdams as Jonas Slonaker
* Joshua Jackson as Matt Galloway
* Ben Foster as Aaron Kreifels
* Amy Madigan as Officer Reggie Flutty
* Tom Bower as Father Roger Schmit
* Clancy Brown as Rob Debree
* Kathleen Chalfant as Female Rancher
* Bill Irwin as Harry Woods
* Lois Smith as Lucy Thompson

## Reception

Matt Roush of TV Guide praised the film for "elevating Shepard's murder to a higher crossroads of journalism and theatricality." Roush singled out the film's cast, and its "original" and "unique investigation", likening its focus on Nestor Carbonell's Kaufman to Truman Capote making himself the star of In Cold Blood. Roush also noted the film's emotional range and its examination of homophobia, saying that it could "enlighten" viewers.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2002 | Berlin International Film Festival | First Movie Award | Moisés Kaufman | Won |
| 2002 | Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Director (Open Palm Award) | Moisés Kaufman | Nominated |
| 2002 | Humanitas Prize | 90 Minute or Longer Network or Syndicated Television | Moisés Kaufman | Won |
| 2002 | National Board of Review Awards | Best Film Made for Cable TV | Best Film Made for Cable TV | Won |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Motion Picture Made for Television | Best Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Amy Madigan | Nominated |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Editing in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Best Editing in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 2002 | Outfest | Outstanding Artistic Achievement | Moisés Kaufman | Won |
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Television Movie | Ross Katz, Anne Carey, Ted Hope, Peter Cane, Roy Gabay, and Declan Baldwin | Nominated |
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie | Moisés Kaufman | Nominated |
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie | Stephen Belber, Leigh Fondakowski, Amanda Gronich, Moisés Kaufman, Jeffrey LaHoste, John McAdams, Andy Paris, Greg Pierotti, Barbara Pitts, Kelli Simpkins, and Stephen Wangh | Nominated |
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Ann Goulder | Nominated |
| 2003 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Television Movie | Outstanding Television Movie | Won |
| 2003 | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Hair Styling – Television Mini-Series/Movie of the Week | Roseanne Reid and Tanya Barnes-Jones | Nominated |
| 2003 | Producers Guild of America Awards | David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television | Ross Katz, Anne Carey, Ted Hope, and Declan Baldwin | Nominated |
| 2003 | Satellite Awards | Best Television Film | Best Television Film | Nominated |
| 2003 | Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Jeremy Davies | Nominated |
| 2003 | Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Terry Kinney | Nominated |
| 2003 | Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Frances Sternhagen | Nominated |