Local Kid David Sirota
Nominated for Oscar
D JARRAD SAFFREN | JE STAFF
avid Sirota is known as a longtime political
journalist and operative, having written for
The Guardian and Jacobin, among other
media outlets, as well as speeches for Bernie Sanders’
2020 presidential campaign.

As for the movie thing, Sirota said, “I honestly kind
of fell into it.”
It turned out to be a life-defining accident.

After pitching director Adam McKay on the story
for the 2021 apocalyptic black comedy “Don’t Look
Up,” Sirota received an Oscar nomination for Best
Original Screenplay.

The Abington kid, former Reform Congregation
Keneseth Israel member and William Penn Charter
graduate, who now lives in Denver, will attend the
Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 27. In
between looking for an outfit to wear, he’s reflected on
his accomplishment.

Sirota talked about how he got to this moment.

First and foremost, tell us about your Philly background.

I think it’s fair to say that I was one of the most
intense Sixers fans.

I grew up hating Michael Jordan for beating
Charles Barkley. Rick Mahorn and Charles Barkley.

The Sixers were sort of a mini, not as good version
of the (Bad Boys) Pistons when Mahorn came over.

Like a bruiser team.

This year, when the movie came out, my friend
got me a cameo of Rick Mahorn congratulating me.

David Sirota and his daughter greet Vermont Sen.

Bernie Sanders. 
Courtesy of David Sirota
OK, that was cool, now tell us about your
background in politics and journalism.

I went down to D.C. and got a job working for Bernie
The local kid used to dream about working in the Sanders. I applied to a bunch of congressional
White House. But he never imagined winning an Oscar. offices and had no idea who he was. He responded.

“My friend said, ‘This is the kind of thing they put
When I first worked for him, I was right out of college.

It helped me find who I was and what my values are.

on your obituary,’” Sirota recalled.

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