TORONTO (EFE).- Pedro Almodovar and Spike Lee will be honored by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with 2023 Tribute Awards in recognition of the global impact of the two directors’ careers, the Canadian exhibition announced yesterday.
Almodovar, “one of the world’s foremost filmmakers”, will receive the Jeff Skoll Impact Media Award, while Lee, “a cultural icon who has influenced generations of directors,” will be honored with the Ebert Director’s Award.
The awards will be presented in Toronto on September 10 during the 48th edition of the show, considered one of the most important shows in the world.
Past Tribute Awards have been given to Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Roger Deakins, Anthony Hopkins, Joaquin Phoenix, Taika Waititi and Chloe Zhao, among others.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a statement that “it is truly exciting to be honoring Pedro Almodovar with the 2023 Jeff Skoll Impact Media Award”, an award that recognizes leadership in uniting social impact and cinema.
“His artistic vision, daring storytelling and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinema have had a profound impact. (Almodovar) challenges social norms, defends diversity and illuminates the human experience with sensitivity and elegance,” Bailey said.
The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 7 to 17. More than 200 films will be screened during the exhibition.
This year the festival will open with the film “The Boy and the Heron” by Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki.
This is the first time in TIFF history that the show opens with an animated film.