Santa Barbara International Film Festival has named legendary filmmaker, Martin Scorsese as recipient of the 2019 Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film.
The honor will be given him on November 14, at a scheduled gala at the Ritz Cariton Bacara, Santa Barbara, from which all proceeds earned on the night will be dashed to SBIFF’s free year-round educational programs.
Martin is best known in Hollywood for films such as; ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, ‘Silence’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Goodfellas’ as well as the stand-out one with Leonardo DiCaprio ‘The Departed’, which won him an Academy Award for best director, in addition to the film winning best picture in 2006.
“Martin Scorsese is a brilliant filmmaker. He has made countless unforgettable films and is a true cinematic treasure. I am honored and grateful that he will receive the 14th annual Kirk Douglas Awards,” Kirk Douglas disclosed about the filmmaker.
Past honorees of the title include John Travolta, Ed Harris, Quentin Tarantino, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Forest Whitaker, Jessica Lange, Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty, Judi Dench and Hugh Jackman, who walked home with the prize last year.
The award is given to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front, behind or either sides of the camera when it comes to production for a film.
Martin’s attachment to Hollywood has fetched him countless wins during past award seasons and at film festivals. His titles include; a Lifetime Achievement Award at AFI, a Palme d’Or Cannes Film Festival Award for best director, Silver Lion, Grammy award, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTA’s and Director Guild of America Award.
