The 38^th Santa Barbara International Film Festival honored actress Angela Bassett with the Montecito Award on Thursday evening, recognizing her recent role as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Since 1985, Bassett has been appearing in television and film, with roles in “Boyz n the Hood,” “Malcolm X,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It” — in which she portrayed Tina Turner — “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” and several others.

“Her name in any film guarantees that she’ll deliver a terrific portrayal. I dare you to show me a bad performance by Angela Bassett,” said Santa Barbara International Film Festival Executive Director Roger Durling.

“Another remarkable aspect about this actor is the path that she had to forge for herself. Starting her career at a period in the film industry when the great roles for women were scarce and, needless to say, there were less or none for Black women. To say there was a lack of representation is an understatement. Despite all of this, she managed to build for herself a legendary career, paving the way to a younger generation of artists of color who now see themselves represented on the screen.”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” earned Bassett her second Academy Award nomination this year for best supporting actress, which also made her the first actor in a Marvel Studios movie to be nominated for an Academy Award in any acting category.

As a Black woman, Bassett spoke of the importance of representation in media, especially as she was growing up.

“We were so thrilled to see that representation, to see that excellence, to see that grace, that charm, that talent,” Bassett said. “So, you look for that. Whenever it came, it was like a nurturing meal.”

Several of the films Bassett has acted in have been praised for their representation, particularly the recent “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

“It’s incredibly satisfying (to offer that representation),” Bassett said. “That representation that I longed for when I was a young actor coming up — to be able to offer that, given the opportunity to offer that is a dream come true. It’s a full circle moment.”

Past recipients of the Montecito Award, given to someone who has made a great contribution to film, include Penélope Cruz, Amanda Seyfried, Lupita Nyong’o, Melissa McCarthy, Saoirse Ronan, Isabelle Huppert, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Daniel Day-Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Javier Bardem, Bill Condon, and Naomi Watts.

“Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler presented the Montecito Award to Bassett Thursday night, speaking of his experiences watching her on screen growing up, and praising her work ethic.

“What Angela does with these performances — watching her raise the caliber of each scene — is that she hones her God-given talent and all of her skill and her craft to display humanity in its finest truth, its highest form,” Coogler said.

Bassett thanked Coogler, the film festival, and others she’s worked with while accepting the award and acknowledged the “magic” that Coogler and late actor Chadwick Boseman brought in the “Black Panther” movies.

“The festival plays a tremendous part in helping to illuminate and highlight and raise awareness about the wonderful art of filmmaking and I am honored that you have chosen me, and deeply grateful to your team for recognizing my commitment and my contribution to cinema,” Bassett said.

“This is a beautiful community and I look forward to returning again.”