UPDATED: The American Cinematheque awards, which was postponed last month due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, will now take place on Feb. 15.
Helen Mirren will receive the 37th American Cinematheque Award, with Kevin Goetz and Screen Engine set to be honored with the Power of Cinema Award, presented by Hill Valley. The annual awards ceremony, held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, was originally set for Nov. 4.
“Helen Mirren has won the Oscar, Tony and Emmy triple crown of acting, and is an unparalleled icon among actors. She has portrayed characters from queens to seductresses with a singular skill that has never lost its freshness or appeal,” American Cinematheque Board chair Rick Nicita stated. “She brings a savvy intelligence and emotional strength to all her roles because, as movie stars do, the camera shows us the essence of who they are. Movie audiences eagerly embrace her talents in a career that glows brighter with every captivating performance.”
Previous American Cinematheque award honorees include Eddie Murphy, Bette Midler, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese. Most recently, Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johannsson, Spike Lee and Charlize Theron have accepted the award.
News of the postponement came on Oct. 12, as SAG-AFTRA actors continued to march the picket lines, as the strike against the major film and TV studios neared its 100 day mark. Negotiations broke down a week prior to the move, with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) announcing that talks had been suspended because the gap between the two sides was “too great,” and that further negotiations would not be productive. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA released a statement expressing “profound disappointment” with the latest development, and urging members to show up at picket lines to express their solidarity.
Talks have since reconvened as the strike hits day 118. On Tuesday, SAG-AFTRA negotiators formally responded to the AMPTP’s “last, best and final” offer and negotiations between the parties continue Wednesday.
