The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced Tony Award winner Scarlett Johansson and Tony and Academy Award nominee Adam Driver will receive the Outstanding Performers of the Year Award for their critically acclaimed work in Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.” The film will be released in theaters and on Netflix Dec. 6.
Johansson and Driver will be honored Jan. 17 at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. The 35th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) will take place Jan. 15-25.
“Scarlett and Adam have had such admirable arcs to their careers, making smart choices between independent films and big Hollywood franchises,” said Roger Durling, SBIFF’s executive director. “They both are such lyrical performers, imbuing their acting with keen sensitivity and intellect. Together in Baumbach’s ‘Marriage Story,’ they regaled us with their best work to date.”
The Outstanding Performers of the Year Award recognizes select individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film over the past year. Previous recipients of the award include:
Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron.
SBIFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 34 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the U.S., attracting 95,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200-plus films, tributes and symposiums.