Steve McQueen, the British director behind 12 Years A Slave, has been named Director of the Year by the Palm Springs International Film Festival organizers.
McQueen, 43, will receive the honor on Jan. 4, a day after the 25th annual festival kicks off, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
“McQueen captivates his audiences by challenging them with often unorthodox and unrelenting subject matter and technique,” festival chairman Harold Matzner. He called McQueen a “master of utilizing the senses to create the essence of his works.”
The festival takes place just weeks before this year’s Oscars on March 2. Several past directors to be honored at the festival include Ang Lee, Anthony Minghella and Robert Zemeckis, who went on to win Oscars. David O. Russell, Sean Penn, Jason Reitman and Stephen Daldry have also won the award.
Stars usually come out for the festival, as they announce the honorees before the event. It’s already been confirmed that Sandra Bullock will be honored for Gravity, while Matthew McConaughey will get honors for Dallas Buyers Club. Nebraska star Bruce Dern will receive the career achievement award.
McQueen’s previous films are Hunger and Shame. You can check out our review of 12 Years A Slave here.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from Jan. 3-13.
image: image.net/Jaap Buitendijk