Winfrey says public response to ‘Selma’ is biggest reward

Oprah Winfrey (Everett Collection / Shutterstock)

NEW YORK — Oprah Winfrey is more than happy with how “Selma” has been received, no matter how few Oscar nominations.

During a telephone interview Friday, Winfrey said that from the moment the civil rights movie she helped produce was given a standing ovation at its first audience screening, she felt the filmmakers had “already won.”

Many were surprised that “Selma” only received two nominations, including for best picture. But Winfrey spoke of the public response, noting that hundreds of thousands of students have seen the film and learned from it.

“The conversation is worth everything to us,” she said. “You want the message to be received. You want the power of your creation to be received.”

The film has earned $43.5 million at domestic theaters since its release six weeks ago.