The Santa Barbara International Film Festival honored Will Ferrell as he received the 17th annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film.
Ferrell’s career has involved a vast variety of projects, including this year’s documentary WILL & HARPER.
SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, actress Octavia Spencer, and frequent collaborator Kristen Wiig spoke highly of Will Ferrell’s career and achievements.
“His work has become a part of our cultural fabric, and his ability to make us laugh until our sides hurt is unmatched,” Octavia Spencer said.
Kristen Wiig said, “With all of his accolades, awards, years of entertaining us – shirt on, shirt off – I realized what I really want to talk about is Will Ferrell the human being. There is something in him, a special bright thing – call it a light, a spark… we all know it’s there, and it’s something he radiates naturally. It’s our urge to smile when we see him on screen. It’s an inherent happiness that he gives to us that brings us to honoring him tonight.”
“In his work, we do find escape and we know whatever road we take with him is somewhere we want to go,” she added.
The prestigious award, which benefits Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s year-round educational programs, was presented on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at a Black-Tie dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.
