The Oscar race just got really exciting. Warren Beatty will be the recipient of the Kirk Douglas award. Beatty’s film Rules Don’t Apply will be released November 23. The award will be handed out on December 1, 2016. This is all very exciting for those of us covering the race. It’s not every day Warren Beatty shows up for things.
Press release:
SANTA BARBARA, CA (September 21, 2016) – The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) announced today that Academy Award® winner Warren Beatty will be honored with the eleventh annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film. Known for his iconic roles in BONNIE AND CLYDE, SHAMPOO, HEAVEN CAN WAIT, REDS, BUGSY, DICK TRACY, and BULWORTH, all of which he produced; Beatty’s next film, RULES DON’T APPLY, an original story which he wrote, directed, produced and stars, will be released by Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency on November 23rd. The award will be presented at Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara on December 1, 2016 with all funds raised supporting SBIFF’s free year round educational programs.
Since 2006, the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, which this year coincides with Douglas’s 100th birthday, has been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both. Past honorees include Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, and John Travolta. All funds raised from the event will be used to support SBIFF’s free year round educational programs.
“Warren Beatty upholds the highest artistic standards of the film industry,” says Kirk Douglas, original award recipient. “His choice of material has entertained us as well as made us think more deeply about the world we live in. I’m delighted he is accepting this recognition of his extraordinary talent.”
The 32nd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place from Wednesday, February 1st through Saturday, February 11th. This year also marks Lynda Weinman’s first festival as board president. As part of her inaugural term, Lynda has been overseeing the festival’s move to the historic Riviera Theatre and the expansion of their educational programs.