Cate Blanchett will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 38th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. She will be honored on Feb. 10 for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Lydia Tár in Todd Feld’s “TÁR” from Focus Features.
Setting a record, this is the second time Blanchett will be celebrated at the festival as the Outstanding Performer of the Year. In 2014, she received the honor for her role as Jasmine French in “Blue Jasmine.” Also, in 2008, she was crowned the Modern Master Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” and as multi-faceted Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There.”
“Cate Blanchett is an artist that has nothing left to prove; she is one of the most brilliant actresses ever; yet she keeps challenging herself and proving over and over again that she’s the most outstanding performer,” said SBIFF’s executive director Roger Durling.
Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, Academy Award-winning actor, producer, artistic director, and humanitarian. She plays the title role and executive produces Todd Field’s “TÁR,” which marks the writer-director-producer’s first film in more than 15 years.
The film was welcomed at the Telluride Film Festival and Venice International Film Festival, where Blanchett was awarded the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress for her second time since “I’m Not There.” This fall, shewill appear in Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film, “Pinocchio,” and the mockumentary hit series “Documentary Now!”
Blanchett has now begun production in Australia on Warwick Thornton’s “The New Boy,” in which she stars and produces via the production company Dirty Films. She most recently wrapped production on “Disclaimer,” directed by Alfonso Cuaron, in which she also stars and executive produces.
n 2021, Blanchett appeared in Adam McKay’s hit “Don’t Look Up,” as well as Guillermo Del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley.”
The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film. Past recipients of the award include Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, and Brie Larson.
The 38th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place live Feb. 8-18. Passes and tickets are on sale at sbiff.org.