Leslie Odom Jr. Honored By Palm Springs Film Fest Organizers

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The organizers of the Palm Springs International Film Festival Monday announced actor Leslie Odom Jr. as a Spotlight Award winner for his portrayal of singer-songwriter Sam Cooke in "One Night in Miami."

"Leslie Odom Jr. is a truly talented performer," festival Chairman Harold Matzner said. "In his latest project, `One Night in Miami,' Odom brilliantly portrays singer Sam Cooke with charisma and tenacity, as he joins iconic figures Malcolm X, Cassius Clay and Jim Brown in this fictionalized account that is based on their actual meeting."

Odom is known for portraying Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical "Hamilton," for which he won Tony and Grammy awards in 2016.

The festival's in-person activities, including the awards gala, are canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Palm Springs International Film Society still plans to acknowledge this year's most celebrated films and film performances via a tribute that will air on Feb. 11 on "Entertainment Tonight."

Festival organizers previously announced director Chloe Zhao ("Nomadland") and actors Riz Ahmed ("Sound of Metal"), Gary Oldman ("Mank") and Carey Mulligan ("Promising Young Woman") as 2021 honorees, along with "The Trial of the Chicago 7" as the winner of the Vanguard Award that recognizes a director and cast for "collective work on an exceptional film project."

Variety will honor British director Steve McQueen with the Creative Impact in Directing Award at the 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards virtual event on Feb. 26 for "Small Axe," a collection of films he created for Amazon Studios.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to return next year. The Palm Springs ShortFest is scheduled for June 22-28.

More information can be found at www.psfilmfest.org.