New York Film Festival to Honor Nicole Kidman, Richard Peña

The 50th anniversary edition of the New York Film Festival will fete both Nicole Kidman and Film Society of Lincoln Center program director Richard Peña during its October running.

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FSLC announced the news today, gala tributes scheduled for Oct. 3 (Kidman) and Oct. 10 (Peña). Additionally, Kidman's latest starring vehicle, Lee Daniels' The Paperboy, has been added to the festival's main slate after debuting at Cannes earlier this year.

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“Nicole Kidman is one of film's finest contemporary actresses," said Peña, who has served as the festival director since 1988. "Since her breakthrough performance in To Die For and her bold and provocative appearances in Lars Von Trier's Dogville, Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, as well as her awarding-winning portrayal of Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry's The Hours, Kidman has insisted on finding roles that are complex, bold and demanding. We are excited to honor her with a tribute at the New York Film Festival.”

Peña will also get kudos for his long work with both the FSLC and NYFF.

“It is very fitting that we celebrate the 50th birthday of the New York Film Festival by honoring the man who has guided the festival's artistic vision for the last 25 years," said festival executive director Rose Kuo. "Richard Peña helped us discover directors like Pedro Almodovar, Abbas Kiarostami, Olivier Assayas, Lars Von Trier and Hou Hsiao-hsien, making an indelible contribution to film culture in New York CIty and around the world. We hope that his friends and colleagues will join us for a special evening to celebrate his achievements.”

The 17-day run of the this year's NYFF kicks off Sept. 28.