Viola Davis, who stars at the title character in George C. Wolfe‘s Netflix film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, has been tapped for the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
This year’s PSIFF and the Awards Gala that is one of its highlights will not take place in-person due to the pandemic. But honorees will still be announced and recognized as part of a tribute that will air on Entertainment Tonight on Feb. 11 and Feb. 25.
“Viola Davis is one of the most celebrated actors of her generation from her powerful roles on stage and screen including Fences and How to Get Away With Murder,” PSIFF festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. “In her latest film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Davis fully embodies the famous blues singer Ma Rainey in an explosive and memorable performance, which is sure to receive an Academy Award nomination. It’s our honor to present the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress to Viola Davis.”
Past winners of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, include Renee Zellweger, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Olivia Colman, Marion Cotillard, Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Saoirse Ronan and Charlize Theron.
Davis joins several other previously announced honorees: Sound of Metal‘s lead actor Riz Ahmed (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), The United States vs. Billie Holiday‘s lead actress Andra Day (Breakthrough Performance Award), The Father‘s lead actor Anthony Hopkins (Career Achievement Award), Promising Young Woman‘s lead actress Carey Mulligan (International Star Award), One Night in Miami‘s supporting actor Leslie Odom, Jr. (Spotlight Award, Actor), Mank‘s lead actor Gary Oldman (Chairman’s Award) and Nomadland‘s writer/director Chloe Zhao (Director of the Year Award) and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Vanguard Award).
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