Academy Award® and BAFTA nominee Paul Giamatti received distinguished recognition with the Cinema Vanguard Award at the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. On February 14, 2024, Giamatti was celebrated for his compelling portrayal of the gruff yet nuanced prep school teacher Paul Hunham in Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers." This accolade came on the heels of earlier triumphs this year, where Giamatti clinched both a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for his exceptional performance in the film.

The event was a memorable one, with a crowd of 2,000 at the Arlington Theatre, erupting in enthusiastic applause at every clip and mention of "Sideways." This 2004 surprise hit, also directed by Payne and set in the Santa Ynez Valley, holds a special place in the hearts of the Santa Barbara community. The audience's warm response reflected not only their admiration for Giamatti's latest work but also a deep appreciation for his previous collaboration with Payne that resonated so closely with the local culture.

Victoria Madsen who received an Academy Award® for her role in the film presented the award to Giamatti.

“This is a long overdue tribute for an actor's actor who deserves all the accolades. His work has been exemplary and his collaborations with Alexander Payne are nothing short of perfection. I can’t think of anyone more worthy of this recognition for a performance in a film that so effortlessly navigates the intricate tapestry of human relationships” SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling noted.

Paul Giamatti is one of the most versatile actors of his generation, and his body of work comes to life with a diverse roster of finely etched, award-winning, and critically acclaimed performances across film and television. Giamatti currently stars in Focus Features’ heartwarming period drama, The Holdovers. He has received several accolades for his moving performance, including the Golden Globe® Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, the Critics Choice Award and the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor, The Palm Springs International Film Festival “Icon Award”, and was recently nominated for the SAG, BAFTA and Academy Award ® for Best Actor.

Giamatti can also be seen in the second season of HBO Europe’s hit Spanish-horror series, 30 Coins, as well as in the final season of the Showtime hit, Billions, for which he has been nominated for a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and a Critics Choice Award for “Best Actor in a Drama Series” over the course of the series.

Outside of acting, Giamatti co-hosts the podcast Chinwag with author and philosopher Stephen Asma from Treefort Media & Touchy Feely Films. Featuring prominent guests from diverse fields, Chinwag is a series of conversations that delve deep into the wilderness of the mind, covering topics spanning from science and philosophy to the occult and literature.

“This is a long overdue tribute for an actor's actor who deserves all the accolades. His work has been exemplary and his collaborations with Alexander Payne are nothing short of perfection. I can’t think of anyone more worthy of this recognition for a performance in a film that so effortlessly navigates the intricate tapestry of human relationships” SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling noted.

The Cinema Vanguard Award recognizes actors who have forged their own path, taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film. Previous honorees include Colin Farrell & Brendan Gleeson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Carey Mulligan, Laura Dern, Michael B. Jordan, William DaFoe, Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Rooney Mara, Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Adams, Jean Dujardin, Bernice Bejo, Nicole Kidman, Peter Sarsgaard, Christoph Waltz, Vera Farmiga, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stanley Tucci and Ryan Gosling.