Bryan Cranston to receive Palm Springs International Film Festival Spotlight Award

Bryan Cranston will be presented with the actor Spotlight Award at the 27th Palm Springs International Film Festival, festival organizers announced Tuesday. The Trumbo actor will be honored alongside previously announced honorees Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Michael Fassbender, Brie Larson, Rooney Mara, Tom McCarthy, Saoirse Ronan and Alicia Vikander. Mara will receive the actress Spotlight Award.

“Whether on film, television or Broadway, Bryan Cranston is an outstanding actor who delivers an extraordinary and memorable performance with each character he takes on,” festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. “In Trumbo, Cranston brings his amazing talent to his portrayal of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. For this brilliant performance, worthy of the awards recognition it has been receiving, it is an honor to present Bryan Cranston with the 2016 Spotlight Award, Actor.”

Directed by Jay Roach, Trumbo tells the story of Dalton Trumbo, who became blacklisted in Hollywood during the 1940s for his political beliefs. Cranston has received a Golden Globe nomination, two SAG nominations and two Critic Choices’ Movie Awards nominations for his portrayal of the screenwriter. He joins an acclaimed list of past recipients with his honor, including J.K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, Jessica Chastain, Amy Adams and Helen Hunt. Hosted by Mary Hart, the festival’s awards gala will take place Saturday at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will run from Jan. 1-11.