PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (CNS) — The organizers of the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced Monday that Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her starring role as an influential blues singer in 1920s Chicago in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

"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. In her latest film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Davis fully embodies the famous blues singer Ma Rainey in an explosive and memorable performance, which is sure to receive an Academy Award nomination," Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said.

What You Need To Know

  • Davis will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her starring role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

  • Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner called Davis "one of the most celebrated actors of her generation"

  • Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is based on the August Wilson play of the same name and co-stars the late Chadwick Boseman

  • The Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to return next year, and more information is available at psfilmfest.org

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is based on the play of the same name written by August Wilson in 1982. The Netflix-distributed film co-stars Chadwick Boseman, who died from colon cancer during post-production.

Both Davis and Boseman received Golden Globe nominations for their work in the film.

The Palm Springs film festival's in-person activities, including the awards gala, are canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Palm Springs International Film Society still plans to acknowledge this year's most celebrated films and film performances via a tribute that will air on February 11 on Entertainment Tonight.

Festival organizers previously announced director Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) and actors Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night in Miami), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Gary Oldman (Mank) and Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) as 2021 honorees, along with The Trial of the Chicago 7 as the winner of the Vanguard Award that recognizes a director and cast for "collective work on an exceptional film project."

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Variety will honor British director Steve McQueen with the Creative Impact in Directing Award at the 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards virtual event on February 26 for Small Axe, a collection of films he created for Amazon Studios.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to return next year. The Palm Springs ShortFest is scheduled for June 22-28.

More information can be found at www.psfilmfest.org.