Sam Rockwell To Receive Spotlight Award At Palm Springs Film Fest

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Actor Sam Rockwell will be recognized with the Spotlight Award at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival, organizers announced Friday.

Rockwell will receive the award at the festival's Awards Gala, held on Jan. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Rockwell's performance in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which opened in theaters last Friday, netted him the recognition. The film follows the conflict between small-town cops played by Rockwell and Woody Harrelson, and a local resident played by Frances McDormand, who openly challenges the local police force for failing to find a suspect in her daughter's murder.

"Sam Rockwell is one of the most dynamic actors of his generation known for creating memorable and diverse characters," Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said. "Once again, he takes on another challenging role as the immature and explosive Officer Dixon in his critically acclaimed performance in `Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,' For this outstanding awards-worthy performance, it is an honor to present Sam Rockwell with the Spotlight Award."

Past Spotlight Award winners include Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Andrew Garfield, Helen Hunt, Rooney Mara, Julia Roberts and J.K. Simmons. Festival organizers say all recipients received Academy Award nominations in the year they were honored, with Simmons taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The festival runs from Jan. 4 through Jan. 15.

— By City News Service / Image via Palm Springs International Film Festival