“La La Land” will receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Vanguard Award, the festival announced Monday.
The award is presented to the film’s cast and director recognizing its outstanding creative ensemble. Cast members Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and director/writer Damien Chazelle are expected to attend.
“Director and writer Damien Chazelle delivers a resonant cinematic masterpiece with La La Land,” said festival chairman Harold Matzner. “This visually stunning film pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals with a contemporary love story driven by pitch-perfect performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. It is our honor to present the Vanguard Award to ‘La La Land.'”
The film is already being hailed as an Oscar contender this year. It has also already received numerous accolades. Stone and Gosling are set to receive the Outstanding Performers of the Year award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February.
Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Chazelle, “La La Land,” from Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label, tells the story of an aspiring actress, Mia (Emma Stone), and a dedicated jazz musician, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), both struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts.
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.
Zuniga is best known for her work on the '90s TV soap "Melrose Place" and "One Tree Hill," but she has acted in movies like "The Sure Thing" and “Spaceballs.”
The veteran Tony and Emmy winner is best known for her work on stage and TV, but LuPone's film credits include "Driving Miss Daisy," "Witness" and the 2013 movie "Parker."
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Keenan Ivory Wayans, writer/director
Wayans was invited to both the writers and directors branches even though his big-screen work has consisted of low-brow comedies like "White Chicks” and “A Low Down Dirty Shame” that aren't exactly Academy material.
Though Ice Cube most recently starred in "Ride Along," the rapper was also invited for his work as a screenwriter on movies like “The Players Club” and “Friday.”
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Phyllida Lloyd, director
Lloyd directed “Mamma Mia!” and "The Iron Lady," which earned an Oscar for star Meryl Streep.
Writer-director McKay earned an Oscar this year for his script for “The Big Short,” but he's not exactly a Hollywood newbie. His credits include Will Ferrell hits like “Anchorman" and "Step Brothers."
Although he starred in "Requiem for a Dream," Wayans is best known for his work in comedies like Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy's hit "The Heat," as well as the "Fifty Shades of Grey" parody "Fifty Shades of Black."
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Patty Jenkins, director
Jenkins directed "Monster," which earned star Charlize Theron an Oscar as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She currently is directing DC's "Wonder Woman," slated for release in 2017.
Satrapi, who wrote the graphic novel "Persepolis," directed the film version of the novel -- which earned an Oscar nomination back in 2008. She also directed the comedy-horror film "The Voices."
Wilson acted in the movies "It's Complicated," "Runaway Bride," and "Sleepless in Seattle." She also produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and the 2008 version of "Mamma Mia!"
Tina Fey is best known for her work on TV, but she was invited to the Academy in the writing branch -- not the acting branch -- even though her only produced screenplay is 2004's "Mean Girls."
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Betty Buckley, actress
Buckley was featured in “Wyatt Earp” and “Carrie,” the 1976 film adaption of Stephen King's novel. But she's best known as a Tony-winning stage actress.
Linka Glatter earned an Oscar nom for her 1985 short "Tales of Meeting and Parting" and directed the 1995 Christina Ricci movie "Now and Then." But she's best known for her work on TV shows like "The West Wing" and "Homeland."
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Richard Kelly, writer
Though Kelly directed and wrote cult classic "Donnie Darko," he was invited to the Academy as a writer.
Faris and Dayton co-directed the 2006 Oscar winner "Little Miss Sunshine" (as well as the 2012 indie "Ruby Sparks"), which makes it odd that they weren't already Academy members.
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