Anne Hathaway will receive the American Riviera Award at the 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs from 3 to 13 February 2027. The actress will be honoured with an in-person tribute and conversation on Friday, 5 February.
The event will celebrate her career, with a focus on her performance as Penelope in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Roger Durling, the festival's executive director, praised her work in Nolan's film as "a breathtaking performance, one that stands among the finest of her career."
Hathaway has had a busy 2026; alongside The Odyssey, she has appeared in Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The End of Oak Street, and Verity. Her filmography continues to expand with diverse and critically acclaimed projects across major studios.
She joins a long list of past recipients, including Ethan Hawke, Zoe Saldaña, Mark Ruffalo, Brendan Fraser, Kristen Stewart, Renée Zellweger, Jeff Bridges, Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Sandra Bullock. The festival has also announced other 2027 honourees: John Malkovich will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, and Andrew Garfield will be given the Maltin Modern Master Award.
These awards highlight exceptional contributions to world cinema. The Virtuoso Award will go to Carrie Coon, Mariana di Girolamo, Rosalind Eleazar, Jordan Firstman, Anthony Ippolito, Jaafar Jackson, Inde Navarrette, and Kate O'Flynn, recognizing their breakthrough performances in recent cinematic releases.
Organizers expect massive media attention for the 2027 edition, drawing international film critics, directors, and fans to the coastal city of Santa Barbara to celebrate cinematic excellence and milestone achievements in filmmaking. Tickets and pass sales for the festival are scheduled to begin later this year, with special packages available for industry professionals, press representatives, and dedicated film enthusiasts from around the globe.
As anticipation builds for the festival's opening night, industry insiders predict that Hathaway's role in 'The Odyssey' could also position her as a major contender in the upcoming awards season across multiple international platforms. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival remains one of the most prestigious stops on the annual film calendar, consistently honoring top-tier talent and showcasing independent, documentary, and blockbuster cinema alike.