Viola Davis Wins Palm Springs International Award For 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

Viola Davis: For playing the lead role in the Netflix film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Viola Davis has been nominated for the Palm Springs International Film Festival's Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress. The film is directed by George C. Wolfe.

Due to the pandemic, the film festival and the Awards Gala will not be held in-person. However, the awardees will be announced and recognised in a virtual event. This tribute event will be aired on Entertainment Tonight on February 11 and February 25.

"Viola Davis is one of the most celebrated actors of her generation from her powerful roles on stage and screen including Fences and How to Get Away With Murder. It's our honour to present the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress to Viola Davis. " the film festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. 

He further said that in the latest film, "Davis fully embodies the famous blues singer Ma Rainey in an explosive and memorable performance." He added that he is expecting the actress to win an Academy Award nomination. 

In the previous years, the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress has been won by Renee Zellweger, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Olivia Colman, Marion Cotillard, Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Saoirse Ronan and Charlize Theron. 

Other winners

The other honorees announced for this year's festival include The Father's lead actor Anthony Hopkins for Career Achievement Award and Sound of Metal's lead actor Riz Ahmed for Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor.

Promising Young Woman's lead actress Carey Mulligan also won the International Star Award this year.