The top two contenders for the best actress Oscar, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan — the twentysomething stars of Room and Brooklyn, respectively — have been tapped to share the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 2016 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the fest announced Tuesday. It’s the first time the award will be given to two honorees. Both Larson and Ronan had previously been awarded the festival’s Virtuoso Award, in 2014 and 2010 respectively.
The ceremony will take place at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, on a date still to be determined, as part of SBIFF’s 31st edition, which is set to run Feb. 3-13.
“This is an incredible year for emerging talent to take center stage and showcase their abilities,” SBIFF executive director Roger Durling said in a statement. “We’ve long been following the careers of Brie and Saoirse and their recent roles as empowered young women transcend time, place and circumstance. We are so proud to be jointly celebrating these two great actresses in such strong performances.“
The fest’s previous Outstanding Performer Award recipients include Steve Carell (2015), Cate Blanchett (2014), Jennifer Lawrence (2013), Viola Davis (2012), James Franco (2011), Colin Firth (2010), Penelope Cruz (2009), Angelina Jolie (2008), Helen Mirren (2007), Heath Ledger (2006), Kate Winslet (2005) and Charlize Theron (2004).
The fest previously announced that Black Mass star Johnny Depp will receive its Maltin Modern Master Award on Feb. 6; Spotlight trio Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo will share its American Riviera Award on a date to be determined; and Love & Mercy‘s Elizabeth Banks and Paul Dano, Black Mass‘ Joel Edgerton and Room‘s Jacob Tremblay will each receive its Virtuoso Award on a date to be determined. It will announce its other honorees in the coming days and weeks.
