Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is set to receive the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award at the upcoming 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), as announced by festival organizers. This honor, established in 1995, recognizes filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the film industry, and it was renamed in 2015 to pay tribute to long-time SBIFF moderator and film critic Leonard Maltin.
The award will be presented to Jolie on February 5, 2025, during the festival’s 40th annual celebration. Leonard Maltin praised Jolie’s remarkable career, stating, “Angelina Jolie makes bold choices, both as an actress and as a director. She sets the bar high in both disciplines and always comes through. I look forward to reviewing her career with her in Santa Barbara.”
Jolie’s illustrious career includes Academy Award-winning performances in films such as Girl, Interrupted and prominent roles in Maleficent and Salt. Recently, she has garnered acclaim for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in the upcoming film Maria. Beyond acting, she has made her mark as a director with critically acclaimed works like First They Killed My Father and Unbroken.
In addition to her cinematic achievements, Jolie is a dedicated humanitarian with over two decades of advocacy for refugees and human rights. Through her Maddox Foundation, she promotes sustainable development initiatives in Cambodia, focusing on education and economic growth. She also founded Atelier Jolie, aimed at empowering individuals in sustainable fashion.
The 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run from February 4 to February 15, featuring over 200 films from around the globe. Passes for the festival are currently available at sbiff.org, with the full lineup set to be announced in January 2025.
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