Denzel Washington To Receive Santa Barbara Modern Master Award
Denzel Washington will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 32nd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs February 1-11. Washington will be honored for his contributions to the film industry, the latest of which is Paramount’s Fences, which he directs, produces and stars in and which hits theaters on December 25.
Leonard Maltin will return for his 26th year to moderate the evening, set for February 2 at the Arlington Theatre. Past recipients of the honor — the fest’s highest — include Michael Keaton, Bruce Dern, Ben Affleck, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, George Clooney and Peter Jackson.
“Denzel Washington directing, producing and acting in Fences defines the Modern Master for the 21st century,” Santa Barbara fest executive director Roger Durling said in announcing the award.
Washington directed Fences from a screenplay adapted by August Wilson, who wrote the Pulitzer-winning play. Washington stars alongside Viola Davis; both also starred in the 2010 Broadway revival that won them Tony Awards for Best Actor and Actress and Best Revival for the show. Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson and Saniyya Sidney co-star in the pic.
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