Teacher, students in 'Moonlight' honored about film's Oscar nominations

Filmmakers went to school in Miami-Dade County

MIAMI – Everyone is still buzzing about the nominees for this year’s Academy Awards and how "Moonlight," a movie about a Liberty City family, landed eight nominations.

Those eight include Best Picture and Best Director. 

Drama students at Miami Norland Middle School watched the announcement Tuesday. along with Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. 

The movie "Moonlight" was filmed in Miami and produced by Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jackson, who went to school in Miami-Dade County.

To add to the Miami flavor, Norland student Jaden Pinder was one of the actors.

"I was OK with one," he said about the nominations.

Drama teacher Tanisha Cidel wept as the nominations were announced.

Cider helped her students audition for the movie and personally knows the team behind the movie.

"I am moved to tears because Miami is such a beautiful backdrop," Cidel said. "And to know there are stories that need to be told, that have not. (And they're not) about South Beach, and not about cocktails. I think it's important for us to tell our story."

The feeling of pride was overwhelming at the school.