Yet another push for Irish films ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Room’ as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has named Saoirse Ronan and Brie Larson as their Outstanding Performers of the Year 2016.
With the awards season well under-way, ‘Brooklyn’ lead Ronan and ‘Room’ star Brie Larson have both been widely tipped for Oscar nominations when they are announced in January 2016 – with this latest honour giving both women another significant boost.
This is the first time two honourees have been named for this award, which has gone in the past to Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron.
SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling hailed both actresses performances in a statement: “This is an incredible year for emerging talent to take centre stage and showcase their abilities. 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."
Saoirse Ronan was also earlier this year honoured with an award at the Hollywood Film Awards for her performance in the film and she will also be given an International Star Award at the Palm Springs Festival on January 2nd. Ronan has also so far been nominated for a British Independent Film Award for her portrayal of a young Irish immigrant in 1950’s New York who is torn between two men and two countries.
For her role as a young woman held captive in a room with her young son, Brie Larson has received universal acclaim and she has so far received an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
This year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival runs February 3-13 with the awards being handed out on February 8th.
