News

Ryan Coogler to be honored at Palm Springs International Film Festival

Published December 10, 2018 7:45 PM

“Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler will receive the “Creative Impact in Directing Award” during the 2019 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s “10 Directors to Watch” brunch on Jan. 4, it was announced today.

Coogler, who recently made Time Magazine’s shortlist for “Person of the Year,” will be recognized for “Black Panther,” both on its merits as a film and the cultural significance of a major Hollywood blockbuster led by a black superhero, according to Claudia Eller of Variety, which presents the brunch at the annual film festival.

“Ryan Coogler has directed one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of the year with `Black Panther,”’ said Eller, Variety’s co-editor in chief. “The film’s cultural significance is matched by its artistic merits and is a crowning achievement for a young filmmaker whose incredible storytelling abilities were already on full display in his compelling 2013 drama `Fruitvale Station.”’

Full Palm Springs International Film Festival Coverage

Variety will also recognize 10 up-and-coming directors at the brunch.

Previously announced 2019 Palm Springs International Film Festival award recipients include Glenn Close, who will receive the Icon Award for her performance in “The Wife”; Rami Malek for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody”; Melissa McCarthy, who will receive the Spotlight Award for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”; director Alfonso Cuaron, the Sonny Bono Visionary Award recipient for “Roma”; Bradley Cooper, the Director of the Year award winner for “A Star is Born”; Regina King, the Chairman’s Award recipient for her role in “If Beale Street Could Talk”; Spike Lee, the Career Achievement Award winner, and the cast and director of “Green Book,” who will be presented with the Vanguard Award.