Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo, the luminous star of Jon M. Chu's recent blockbuster "Wicked" and its eagerly anticipated sequel "Wicked: For Good," has been honored by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with the prestigious 18th annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, as announced by the festival in conjunction with Michael Douglas, son of the award's legendary namesake, on Tuesday. This accolade caps a resume already adorned with an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony for the multifaceted actress and singer.
On Thursday, December 4, at the opulent Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, Erivo will be feted at an elegant black-tie dinner, which doubles as a fundraising gala for the festival's year-round educational endeavors. Notably, "Wicked: For Good" will grace theaters just under two weeks prior, on November 21.
"Cynthia Erivo stands as a unique talent whose profound depth, versatility, and unwavering dedication to her craft mirror the essence of excellence that my father tirelessly advocated throughout his life," Michael Douglas expressed in a statement. "It is with the utmost aptness that she receives the Kirk Douglas Award, which recognizes daring artistry and a lasting impact within the film industry."
Past recipients of SBIFF's Kirk Douglas Award include an illustrious array of talents such as Will Ferrell, Ryan Gosling, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, John Travolta, and Michael Douglas himself.
Mark your calendars for the 41st edition of SBIFF, set to enchant audiences from February 4 to 14, 2026.
