Of late, Sean Penn has been a fixture on cable news programs for his work in Haiti and decision to relocate to the earthquake ravaged country. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, the Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced Thursday that Penn will receive the Stanley Kramer Award.
The award honors a motion picture, producer or other individual, whose work draws attention to social issues.
It will be presented to Penn at the 22nd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 22nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Kramer, a liberal filmmaker who cast a wide shadow over fifties and sixties cinema, was the driving force behind such "issue" pictures as "High Noon," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," and "The Defiant Ones."
Previous recipients of the Kramer award include such films as "An Inconvenient Truth," "Hotel Rwanda," and "Precious." Penn is the first individual to receive the honor.
“We are proud to honor Sean Penn with this award as he truly exemplifies the Stanley Kramer legacy. Sean is a committed activist who has used his extraordinary talents and influence to shed light on powerful stories, causes and individuals—through film, journalism, and global humanitarian organizations,” said Paula Wagner, chair of the 2011 Producers Guild Awards.
Penn is best known for his Oscar winning work in "Mystic River" and "Milk." He also directed the critically acclaimed "Into the Wild" and "The Crossing Guard." In attention to his work in Haiti, Penn assisted in rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina and was an outspoken critic of the Bush Administration's Iraq War policies.
