TINSLE TOWN TIDBITS   .   .   .  
 OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD  HONORING  RALPH FIENNES     THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025  8:00PM  ARLINGTON THEATRE Ralph Fiennes will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Fiennes will be honored on Thursday, February 6, 2025 for his acclaimed performance as Cardinal Lawrence in Focus Features’ Conclave. Ralph Fiennes delivers a captivating and nuanced performance in Conclave,  bringing a depth to his role and expertly conveying the intricate  complexities of his character. After winning audience and jury awards  throughout the film’s fall festival run, the film had a strong opening  in U.S. theaters this past weekend and continued to win over  movie-goers. 
  
 
 “Ralph Fiennes is one of the most gifted actors working in both cinema  and theatre and has bequeathed us with so many memorable and  extraordinary performances. He outdoes himself in “Conclave” - bestowing  us with what may be the best work in his already legendary career.”  noted SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling. 
 
 Ralph Fiennes made his feature film debut as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights in 1992. His film credits include Schindler’s  List, The English Patient, The Constant Gardener, The End of the  Affair, The Reader, Oscar and Lucinda, Sunshine, Strange Days, The Hurt  Locker, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series and the role of ‘M’ in Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die. 
 
 Fiennes has been the recipient of many significant awards and  nominations for his work on film and in the theatre. He was nominated  for Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs for his roles in both The English Patient and Schindler’s List, winning the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the latter. He was also nominated for BAFTAs for The End of the Affair and The Constant Gardener. He was nominated for the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Coriolanus. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his leading role in The Grand Budapest Hotel.  Fiennes has also been honored with the Variety Award for Film  Achievement, The Richard Harris Award by the British Independent Film  Awards and The Empire Film Legend Award. 
 
 “Conclave” follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events –  selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked  with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the  beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have  gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican  halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s  wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. 
 
 The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award recognizes select  individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional  performances in film. Past recipients of the award include Bradley  Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen,  Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling  and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate  Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth,  Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet  and Charlize Theron. 
 
 The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place LIVE  February 4 - February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings,  filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be  held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre.  Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org. ________________________________________________________________________ x 
                     
                                        
                    
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