Cynthia Erivio, Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy-nominated singer and actress, has been tapped to receive the 18th Annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The award, named after the famed actor, celebrates artists who have contributed to the art of cinema, both behind and in front of the camera. Other recipients of the award include Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Judi Dench, Robert De Niro, Hugh Jackman, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Harrison Ford, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Quinton Tarantino, John Travolta, Ed Harris, and Kirk Douglas’s Son, Michael Douglas.
Here’s a statement from Michael Douglas, about the announcement:
Cynthia Erivo is a singular talent whose depth, range, and fearless commitment to her craft embody the spirit of excellence my father championed throughout his life. It’s entirely fitting that she receives the Kirk Douglas Award, which celebrates bold artistry and enduring impact in film.
Erivio, who already has an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony to her name, will be awarded the Michael Douglas Award at a Black Tie Dinner, set to be held before the festival, and which serves as a fundraiser for the festival’s educational programs, on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Santa Barbara’s Ritz-Carlton Bacara. She’ll be awarded less two weeks after Wicked: For Good, the second part to Wicked, (which earned Erivio an Oscar nomination for Best Actress) is set to be released in theaters on November 21st.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival itself will be held from Feb 4th-14th, 2026.
Leave a Comment