Regina King won an Emmy in September and it’s likely she’ll be named in the Best Supporting Actress category when Oscar nominations are announced January 23. But she won’t have to wait until then to be honored for “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is presenting her with the Chairman’s Award for her performance in the James Baldwin adaptation at its annual Film Awards Gala, a press release announced. The event is slated to take place January 3.
Previous recipients of the award include Reese Witherspoon, Amy Adams, and Jessica Chastain.
“Whether she’s acting, producing or directing, Regina King is an amazing creative talent,” said PSIFF Chairman Harold Matzner. “In her latest film ‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ she gives an outstanding performance as Sharon Rivers, a mother supportive of her daughter whose fiancé is thrown in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. For her performance in this challenging role, which has received much critical acclaim, it is our honor to present the Chairman’s Award to Regina King.”
King has already received a Best Supporting Actress award from the New York Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review and a Best Supporting Female nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards for her role in Barry Jenkins’ latest. She took home an Emmy this year for “Seven Seconds” and previously won twice for her work in “American Crime Story.”
In addition to her celebrated on-screen work, King is also a director with over a dozen credits to her name, including episodes of “This Is Us,” “Insecure,” and “Scandal.” She’s spoken out about the double standards facing female helmers. “I have been on sets with female directors where the sets were run better than with a male director and vice versa. It has nothing to do with being a woman and that’s what’s really unfair,” she explained. “When you do get that opportunity, you are there for every female director to come. If it doesn’t go well on your watch then it’s ‘Oh well the last time we had a female director…’”
“The Leftovers” and “The Big Bang Theory” are among King’s recent acting credits.
PSIFF runs from January 3-14.
