Sandra Bullock, the star of the year-end sleeper hit The Blind Side, will receive the Santa Barbara Film Festival's American Riviera Award on Friday, February 5, 2010.
Among Bullock's credits are Love Potion No. 9, While You Were Sleeping, Practical Magic, Miss Congeniality, The Net, A Time to Kill, 28 Days, Murder By Numbers, The Lake House, the Academy Award winner Crash, the recent hit The Proposal, and the recent flop All About Steve.
As per the SBFF's website, the American Riviera Award, sponsored by Chopin Vodka, "was established to recognize an actor who has had a strong influence on American Cinema." Past recipients include: Mickey Rourke (09), Tommy Lee Jones (08), Forest Whitaker (07), Philip Seymour Hoffman (06), Kevin Bacon (05) and Diane Lane (04).
Probably not coincidentally, most honorees were tapped for the award at a time when they were being tapped for Oscar consideration as well. It's Bullock's turn now, though her performance in The Blind Side will more likely land her only a Golden Globe nod. Even so, an Oscar nomination isn't really out of reach, if only for sentimental reasons. After all, Bullock has never even been nominated.
Tickets for the American Riviera Award Presented by Chopin, which takes place Friday, February 5 at the Arlington Theatre are available now, discounted 20% until December 31, 2009 and can be purchased through www.sbfilmfestival.org or by calling 805.962.8543.
Mini-Paks for the festival (NOT passes) are discounted 20% until December 31, as well, while Festival Passes and Packages are currently discounted at 15% and on sale exclusively at www.sbfilmfestival.org and 805.962.8543. Ticketing fees will apply for all Film Festival Passes, Mini-Paks and event tickets.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival runs February 4-14, 2010.