Ben Affleck to receive Santa Barbara fest's Modern Master award

By Nicole Sperling

Nov. 12, 2012 12 AM PT

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will honor Ben Affleck with the Modern Master Award for his work this year as director, star and producer of the CIA thriller “Argo.” The festival, which runs Jan. 24 through Feb. 3, will present the tribute to the multi-hyphenate on Jan. 26 at the Arlington Theatre.

“Affleck has come into his own as a multi-dimensional artist with ‘Argo,’ ” said festival Executive Director Roger Durling. “He embodies what the Modern Master Award is all about, and we’re thrilled to honor him this year.”

The award marks the festival’s highest honor. Previous recipients include Michael Douglas, Jodie Foster, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Christopher Nolan, among others.

“Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. It opened on Oct. 12 to $19 million and has since earned $85.5 million. Affleck stars in the movie opposite an ensemble cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Victor Garber.

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