“American Horror Story’s” Jamie Brewer will be honored at the 2019 Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), Deadline confirms. The actress will receive the “See It, Be It” Award, given in recognition of “a rising and influential voice in the landscape of diversity and inclusion in media.” The fest takes place in Bentonville, Arkansas and runs from May 7-11.
Brewer, who made history in 2015 as the first first model with Down syndrome to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week, is being honored “for her unwavering commitment to representing and championing those with intellectual disabilities both on screen and off, ensuring media accurately reflects the world in which we live.”
“We are thrilled to honor Jamie this year. She is the embodiment of fearless courage and the power of what representation can do to elevate a community of people around the world,” said Geena Davis, BFF Co-Founder and Chair. “Championing the underrepresented is the sole reason I wanted to launch this festival.”
Brewer rose to fame in 2011 playing Adelaide “Addie” Langdon in “American Horror Story: Murder House,” the debut installment of Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series. She also appeared in later seasons of “American Horror Story” as different characters. “Switched at Birth” and “Southland” are among her other screen credits. She won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress for her performance in “Amy and the Orphans.”
When asked about her plans for the future, Brewer has said, “Honestly, there’s a term that people say in really neat ways: Legacy. For my legacy I want to be known for everything I’ve been doing. My advocacy work, TV shows that I’ve been part of. Having people see the real me.” As for what message she’d like to send young girls with a disability who’d like to pursue acting, she urged, “Never be afraid, let your voice be heard. Use your voice! Every medium of creativity… of theater, of music, of TV, of film. Don’t just see it for the entertainment value, study it. Because when you study it that’s when you find those life lessons. And when you find those life lessons, apply it to your own life. That’s when you can really be yourself.”
BFF’s lineup this year includes Emily Ting’s “Go Back to China,” a coming-of-age comedy about a spoiled young woman who is forced to move back to China and work for the family toy business, and April Wright’s “Stuntwomen,” a look inside the history and evolution of stunt women.
