The cast and crew of “The Shape of Water,” which opened in New York theaters Friday, will be presented with the Vanguard Award at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival.
The ensemble award will be presented at the 29th annual festival’s Film Awards Gala, set for Jan. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Director, writer and producer Guillermo del Toro, actresses Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer, actor Doug Jones and producer J. Miles Dale are expected to attend, according to festival organizers.
The latest film from del Toro, director of `Pan’s Labyrinth‘ and `Pacific Rim,’ follows an employee at a top-secret government facility whose life is irrevocably changed when she discovers a classified experiment inside the facility.
“Guillermo del Toro is a master storyteller, whose boundless imagination has crafted a visually dazzling fable with `The Shape of Water,”‘ Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said. “This romantic story of a woman discovering herself as she falls for something otherworldly is driven by an astounding performance by Sally Hawkins, and features an acclaimed cast including Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Shannon, Doug Jones and Michael Stuhlbarg. This exemplary group of actors brings to life this magical ode to cinema.”
The festival runs from Jan. 4-15. Previously announced honorees include Holly Hunter, Allison Janney, Timothee Chalamet, Gal Gadot, Gary Oldman and Sam Rockwell. The cast and crew of “La La Land” received the Vanguard Award at last year’s festival.
–City News Service