Following supporting turns in “Widows,” “Bad Times at the El Royale,” and a handful of other projects, Cynthia Erivo made her on-screen debut as a leading lady in Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet.” And what a debut it is. The Tony-winning Broadway star has been receiving Oscar buzz ever since the Harriet Tubman biopic made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. As such, it comes as no surprise that Erivo has been named as the 2020 recipient of the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) Breakthrough Performance Award. She’ll be presented with the honor at PSIFF’s annual Film Awards Gala on January 2. A press release announced the news.

“Cynthia Erivo has been a sensation in her theatrical performances and now audiences are getting to experience her on the big screen. In ‘Harriet,’ she fully embodies and brings to life the tale of Harriet Tubman, whose courage saved herself and many others from a life of slavery,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “She is a star on the rise and for her portrayal that has garnered much critical acclaim and has received several award nominations it is our honor to present her with the Breakthrough Performance Award.”

Previous recipients of the Breakthrough Performance Award include Brie Larson, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Hudson.

Charlize Theron, Renée Zellweger, Jennifer Lopez, and Laura Dern are among PSIFF’s other honorees this year. The fest runs from January 2-13.

“Harriet” is in theaters now. Erivo’s upcoming slate includes “Genius,” a National Geographic series that sees her playing Aretha Franklin, and dystopian sci-fi pic “Chaos Walking.”