Elmont-native appears in Oscar-nominated film

McGregory Frederique may have only started his acting career about two years ago, but now a film the Elmont-native appeared in is nominated for an Academy Award.

Frederique appeared as a party-goer in the short film “The Neighbor’s Window,” produced by Marshall Curry. The film follows a woman who discovers she can watch two 20-somethings who moved into the apartment across the street. “She develops this sort of ‘Rear Window’ like obsession with them,” Curry explained.

The 20-minute long film is up against “A Sister,” “Nefta Football Club,” “Saria” and “Brotherhood” for an Oscar award on Sunday.

“The Academy — that’s the top of the mountain,” Frederique said, failing to hide his excitement after he learned the news. “They’re going to see my name in the credits.”

Frederique started acting in 2017, while recovering from injuries he sustained in a car accident.

At the time, he said, he thought he was going to be “a huge football star, playing in the NFL.” Frederique loved playing football while growing up in Harlem, and eventually joined Team America — a private, independent All-Star team that plays around the world in hopes of being drafted to the professional league.

Frederique showed promise as a wide receiver, he said, but just as he was making strides with the team, a truck slammed into his car, and he suffered injuries to his legs, face and head. He was unable to play football for months, and as he was recovering, he saw an advertisement for a casting agency. For a dollar, the ad said, the agency would offer him full use of its services for a week. “I tried it out,” Friederique recalled, “and then I started writing.”

Within a year, he had booked dozens of roles in commercials, television shows, independent projects and movies. The goal for any actor, though, he said, is to be nominated for an Academy Award.

“Winning it means everything,” he said, noting that, while he only had a minor role in the short-film, “it’s a win regardless.”

“If he wins,” Frederique said of Curry, whose documentaries were previously nominated, “the whole cast wins.”

“The Neighbor’s Window” can be viewed in its entirety at TheNeighborsWindow.com.