Steve McQueen to be named Palm Springs fest’s director of the year
British filmmaker Steve McQueen will receive the Director of the Year Award at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.
McQueen, 44, who is considered one of the front-runners for an Oscar nomination for his acclaimed historical drama “12 Years a Slave,” will receive the honor at a ceremony on Jan. 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
“Director Steve McQueen captivates his audiences by challenging them with often unorthodox and unrelenting subject matter and technique,” said festival chairman Harold Matzner in a statement Thursday. “McQueen is a master of utilizing the senses to create the essence of his works.”
Past Director of the Year Award recipients include Stephen Daldry, Ang Lee, Anthony Minghella, Alexander Payne, Sean Penn and Robert Zemeckis.
McQueen’s first film, 2008’s “Hunger,” won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and his 2011 “Shame” received numerous nominations as well as the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Also:
Review: ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ burns bright with fiery Katniss
The late James Gandolfini to receive honor at Gotham film awards
Pakistan restricts screening of films from India
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
