The Santa Barbara Film Festival on Monday said that Emily Blunt will receive the 19th annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film in December, ahead of the fest’s 2027 edition.
The award benefits the festival’s year-round educational programs and will be bestowed December 10 at a gala at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara.
The honor comes after a busy summer for Blunt, who was nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar in 2024 for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This year, she was in more biggies, reprising her breakout role for The Devil Wears Prada 2 in April, then starring opposite Josh O’Connor in Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day which bowed in June.
Her other film credits include The Smashing Machine, A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, Sicario, Edge of Tomorrow, Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns among others.
“Emily Blunt takes risks most actors wouldn’t dare — moving between drama, comedy and blockbuster spectacle with the same precision and commitment,” said Michael Douglas in a statement today. “That range and authenticity are exactly what the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film was created to celebrate. We’re proud to honor her.”
SBFF’s last year honored Cynthia Erivo with its Kirk Douglas award. Previous honorees include Will Ferrell, Ryan Gosling, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris and John Travolta.
The 42nd Santa Barbara Film Festival runs February 3-13, 2027.
