Claire Denis’ and Cate Blanchett’s awards shelves are about to become a bit more crowded. Cannes prize-winning director Denis will be presented with the fifth annual Roger Ebert Golden Thumb Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Two-time Oscar winner Blanchett will receive the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film at this year’s British Academy Britannia Awards, BAFTA’s most prestigious non-UK event.
The Golden Thumb Award is bestowed to filmmakers whose work “reflects renowned film critic Roger Ebert’s taste and passion for cinema.” Denis will take home the honor Monday, September 10 at an intimate reception at TIFF. Friends and family of the director as well as industry professionals will attend.
“It is an honor to celebrate Claire Denis with the Roger Ebert Golden Thumb Award,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director at TIFF. “Claire’s passion and expertise reflect industry excellence as she continues to reinvent her perspective in cinema.”
Denis was nominated for Cannes’ Palme d’Or and a César (France’s equivalent to an Oscar) for her 1988 feature debut, “Chocolat.” She won the Directors’ Fortnight prize for “Let the Sunshine In” at Cannes 2017 in a tie with Philippe Garrel (“Lover for a Day”). Denis’ other films include “Beau travail” and “35 Shots of Rum.” Her latest, “High Life,” a sci-fi drama about criminals who are sent on a deep space mission, will make its world premiere at TIFF on Sunday night.
Previous Golden Thumb Award honorees include Ava DuVernay and Agnès Varda. TIFF runs through September 16.
As Deadline reports, Blanchett will accept the Stanley Kubrick Award during the Britannias ceremony in Beverly Hills October 26. The prize is for “individuals whose work is stamped with the indelible mark of authorship and ingenuity.” Jodie Foster and Meryl Streep are among the previous recipients.
“With an impressive and extensive repertoire of work on screen and stage, Cate’s award-winning talent is unprecedented, earning her international acclaim and numerous accolades,” stated BAFTA Los Angeles Chairman Kieran Breen. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate her brilliant work by honoring her with this year’s Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film.”
Blanchett’s more recent movies include the all-female “Ocean’s 8,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Song to Song.” You can catch her next in fantasy comedy “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” (September 21) and the long-awaited adaptation of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” (March 22, 2019).
The actress has won Oscars for her turns in “Blue Jasmine” and “The Aviator” and received four other nominations. Blanchett also has three Golden Globes and three BAFTA Awards to her name.
