Ukiah High School alum gets Oscar nomination

UKIAH, CA., 1/27/25 — Will Hawkes, a Ukiah High School graduate and co-founder of the production company Kindred Films, will return to his Mendocino roots when his Oscar-nominated film, The Last Ranger, screens in Ukiah. 

The film highlights rhino conservation efforts in South Africa and has earned an Oscar nomination in the category for Best Live Action Short. The Last Ranger will be shown alongside other short films by local Mendocino filmmakers on January 31 at the Ukiah Players Theater, offering a unique opportunity for the community to witness the impactful work of hometown talent.