Harrison Ford to be Honored By Film Festival

In recognition of his contributions to the world of film, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is honored to present the fifth annual KIRK DOUGLAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM to the legendary Academy Award-nominated actor/producer Harrison Ford. The black-tie Gala dinner, which serves as a fundraiser for SBIFF, will take place at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara on Friday, November 19, 2010. The evening is sponsored by Chopin Vodka.

“I’m delighted to give this award to Harrison Ford,” commented Kirk Douglas. “It’s always a pleasure to honor these young actors who do so well.”

Ford’s impressive body of work contains 43 feature films, 12 of which have each grossed over $100 million, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Throughout his career, Ford has captivated audiences with each performance, becoming one of the most influential and widely celebrated actors in the history of Hollywood. He has consistently given diverse and compelling performances, mastering the challenges of both comedy and drama: sometimes within the span of a single scene. His ability to bring the audience along with him to the outer reaches of the universe with expert guidance has garnered him loyalty among his audience as well as his peers.

Ford first turned heads playing Bob Falfa in George Lucas’, American Graffiti (1973). A few years later Lucas cast him as the cocky rebel starship pilot Han Solo in Star Wars. The film shattered all box office records and made Ford a household name. After starring in a few more films such as Hanover Street (1978) and The Frisco Kid (1979), as well as a cameo in Apocalypse Now (1979),he donned the famous fedora as Indiana Jones in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

Between the Star Wars sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), and the Raiders sequels Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Ford took on many other roles which enabled him to demonstrate immense range as an actor. He delivered a gritty performance as a cop in the nihilistic future LA in Blade Runner (1982); he received an Academy Award nomination for his role as a cop on the lam hiding out in Amish country in Witness (1985); he portrayed an eccentric idealistic inventor in The Mosquito Coast (1986); he portrayed a Hitchcock protagonist in Frantic (1988) before showing his flair for romantic comedy in Mike Nichols’ Working Girl (1988).

Ford portrayed a lawyer accused of murder in Presumed Innocent (1990); a doctor wrongly convicted of murder in Andy Jones’ The Fugitive (1993); he was President in Air Force One (1997), a NY City cop in The Devil’s Own (1997) and, of course, brought Tom Clancy’s novel character Jack Ryan to the silver screen in, Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994).

Ford’s upcoming film Morning Glory is slated to be released November 12, 2010. Set in the dysfunctional world of morning television, Ford plays legendary TV anchor Mike Pomeroy, who is brought on to save a failing news show where he comes into conflict with his co-anchor Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton). Ford will also star alongside Daniel Craig in the upcoming film Cowboys and Aliens, directed by Jon Favreau.

The 26th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run January 27 through February 6, 2011, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. SBIFF presents quality American Independent, Spanish and Latin American, European, World and Documentary cinema, as well as nature and surfing films, all within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a perfect backdrop and premier tourist destination in its own right.

SBIFF is also committed to education through its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 60,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an eclectic and diverse consumer base, both locally and nationally, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles.

For ticket information, contact the SBIFF office, 805-963-0023 or visit online.