
Global icon Michelle Yeoh received the 15th annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence In Film on December 9th at a Black-Tie dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. This marks the first time since the passing of screen legend Kirk Douglas that the honor was awarded. The event benefits Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s year-round educational programs and was the most successful fundraiser in SBIFF’s history.
Since 2006, the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film has been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both. Past honorees are Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Dame Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, and John Travolta.