Awkwafina addresses Oscar snub for The Farewell

Despite the film getting snubbed in this year’s Oscar nominations, Awkwafina said she remains grateful for the attention heaped on The Farewell in the last year.

While promoting her new comedy Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens at the Television Critics Association press tour Tuesday in Pasadena, Calif., the comedian said it already “feels like a win” that the movie has garnered accolades from the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Critics’ Choice Awards, despite having been released a year ago at Sundance.

“There were amazing performances this year,” she said of the nominations. “They are all warranted as they should have been. But we can’t ignore movies that women helmed, including mine.”

The Farewell was directed by Lulu Wang. She and Little Women‘s Greta Gerwig were overlooked in the Best Director category, which includes all male nominees. Awkwafina was also on the short list for Best Actress but was snubbed for her performance in the dramedy, which follows a family that hides their grandma’s cancer diagnosis from her. The movie didn’t receive a single nomination on Monday morning.

Awkwafina is now promoting her new comedy, which premieres Jan. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Comedy Central. The half-hour is inspired by Awkwafina’s real life growing up in Queens, N.Y. Here’s the official logline: “Raised by her dad (BD Wong) and grandma (Lori Tan Chinn) alongside her cousin (Bowen Yang), Nora Lin leans on her family as she navigates life and young adulthood in outer borough NYC.”

The comedian told reporters that her unique name came from feeling awkward as a kid. “I feel awkward all the time. It’s been a constant throughout my life,” she said.

Related content:

• The most shocking Oscar snubs and surprises
• Women shut out of Best Director race despite record number of total female Oscar nominees
• Awkwafina wins Golden Globe for The Farewell