Hugh Jackman Honored with Kirk Douglas Award on November 19 at the Santa Barbara International Film Fest

Hugh Jackman is taking on the awards race like a comer. It’s really only 50% the performance. The other 50% is whether or not the actor is going to campaign for the nomination. It seems weird, I know, to talk about it like that, or even say inane things like “on the campaign trail,” but that’s sort of how it goes. You show up so people know you’re around and remember you when it comes time to write down your favorite performances. Hugh Jackman and The Front Runner are front and center with today’s announcements. Santa Barbara, Savannah, Middleburg, etc.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced today that Academy Award® nominee Hugh Jackman will be honored with the thirteenth annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film. The award will be presented at a black-tie Gala dinner at The Ritz Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara on Monday, November 19, 2018. The multi-faceted Jackman may best be known for Oscar nominated films THE GREATEST SHOWMAN and LES MISERABLES, THE X-MEN FRANCHISE, and PRISONERS. Jackman will next be seen in Jason Reitman’s THE FRONT RUNNER, in theaters November 6, 2018.

Since 2006, the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film has been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both.  Past honorees include Dame Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, and John Travolta.

“I am delighted that Hugh Jackman will receive the 13^th annual Kirk Douglas Award. He’s an exceptional talent of stage and screen, and one of the nicest people in the business. It’s my honor to have my name linked with his on this year’s award,” states Douglas.

The 34^th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place from Wednesday, January 30 – February 9, 2019.