Actress and producer Susan Sarandon will receive the honorary Maverick Award, according to a press release issued by the Woodstock Film Festival on Monday.
In addition to celebrating Sarandon’s film career during the October award ceremony, the Woodstock Film Festival will be screening “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” a film Sarandon headed up as executive producer.
“I’m thrilled to receive the Maverick Award for this year’s Woodstock Film Festival,” Sarandon said in the press release. “Mavericks forge their own path and move through life by taking chances, and it’s an honor to be added to the Woodstock Film Festival’s catalog of distinguished recipients.”
Sarandon said that she looks “forward to heading up to Woodstock for the 18th annual festival.”
The honorary Maverick Award will be presented to Sarandon on Oct. 14 at the Woodstock Film Festival’s Maverick Awards Ceremony at Backstage Studio Productions on Wall Street in Kingston.
The honorary Maverick Award is presented annually to leaders in the film and media industries who demonstrate a “fiercely independent and unparalleled artistic vision,” the press release said.
Previous recipients include Darren Aronofsky, Richard Linklater, Jonathan Demme, Mira Nair, Barbara Kopple and Steve Buscemi, among others.
Sarandon has earned Oscar nominations for her performance in “Atlantic City,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Lorenzo’s Oil,” and “The Client.”
Sarandon, 70, won an Academy Award for her role as Sister Helen in “Dead Man Walking.”
“Presenting our honorary Maverick Award to Susan Sarandon this year is a privilege,” said Woodstock Film Festival Co-Founder and Executive Director, Meira Blaustein, in the press release. “Not only is she one of the most accomplished and talented actors of our times, but also a supporter and producer of many socially relevant, impactful films, and a strong advocate for gender equality in the entertainment industry.”
Sarandon has worked with human rights organizations like Film Aid International and social justice advocate MADRE. In 2006, Sarandon was awarded Action Against Hunger’s award for her work as a UNICEF ambassador.
At 2016’s annual Cannes Film Festival, Sarandon was also awarded the “Women in Motion Award” alongside “Thelma & Louise” co-star Geena Davis for their contributions to the film industry and women’s rights.
Sarandon recently portrayed Bette Davis in FX’s “Feud: Bette & Joan” opposite Jessica Lange.
Full festival passes are on sale now, with individual ticketing info being released in early September.
Source: Daily Freeman Entertainment