Saldaña Honored with SBIFF’s American Riviera Award

Lead: Hollywood star Zoe Saldaña received the American Riviera Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Riviera Theatre on Saturday, September 13, celebrating her body of work with a special screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale followed by a Q&A session.

Nut Graf: The festival tribute highlighted Saldaña’s contributions to both blockbuster franchises and independent cinema, underscoring her versatility and longevity in an industry where few performers sustain both critical acclaim and commercial success over decades.

Festival Tribute Highlights

Festival director Julie Goldstein lauded Saldaña’s pioneering roles-from her breakthrough in Center Stage to her Oscar-winning performance in Emilia Pérez-noting how she “redefines what it means to be a leading woman in Hollywood.” Attendees included industry executives, local dignitaries, and fellow actors who joined Saldaña onstage for an intimate conversation about her career milestones.

Screening and Conversation

  • A 11:00 AM screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale kicked off the event, drawing enthusiastic fans.
  • Saldaña reflected on balancing franchise commitments with passion projects, revealing plans for upcoming roles in the Star Trek and Avatar franchises.
  • The Q&A covered her early dance training, immigrant upbringing, and decision to produce through Cinestar Pictures alongside her sisters.

Community and Industry Impact

The American Riviera Award spotlights artists whose work advances cinematic storytelling. Saldaña’s diverse portfolio-from science-fiction blockbusters to socially conscious dramas-demonstrates her influence both on-screen and behind the camera. Festival attendees praised her mentorship of emerging filmmakers and advocacy for inclusive representation.

What’s Next for Saldaña

Fresh from her SBIFF honor, Saldaña will appear in Alexander Dinelaris’s drama Still Life and is in pre-production on Avatar: Part 4. She also continues to develop projects through her production company, Cinestar Pictures, signaling a busy season ahead.