Oscar nominee Questlove says directing 'Summer of Soul' helped him heal during the pandemic

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The Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is celebrating being nominated for his first Academy Award for his directorial debut, Summer of Soul, which is up for the Best Documentary Film honor.

The film, about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival in New York City, features performances by a stellar lineup, including Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips and many others. Thompson was so anxious hoping for a nomination that he admits he made the mistake of thinking that they were being announced on Sunday, not Tuesday.

“I got up early at 4:00 in the morning, got totally dressed, and I sat on my