Zoe Saldana: A Star Recipient Of The Derek Malcolm Award For Innovation
Award Announcement
The 45th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards are set to honor Zoe Saldana with the prestigious Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation. Following the footsteps of last year’s winner, Colman Domingo, Saldana becomes the second artist to be recognized with this award.
Recognition Amid Competition
Simultaneously, Saldana is also a contender in the Supporting Actress of the Year category for her performance in Jacques Audiard’s musical drama “Emilia Perez.” Throughout her illustrious career, Saldana has been part of several blockbuster franchises like “Avatar,” “Star Trek,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and has taken on lead roles in four of the highest-grossing films in cinema history.
Recent Works
Saldana’s recent endeavors include not only acting but also producing. She has been associated with TV series like “Special Ops: Lioness” and “The Absence of Eden,” which highlight the issue of U.S.-Mexico border trafficking. Earlier this year, she shared the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress with her “Emilia Perez” co-stars Karla Sofia Gascon, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz.
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Saldana’s Response to the Honor
Expressing her excitement, Saldana said, “I’m honored and thrilled to receive the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation from the London Film Critics’ Circle. This has been a wonderful year for film with so many striking and indelible roles for women. To have had the opportunity to work in this industry for twenty-five years has been a privilege and to perform the role of Rita in ‘Emilia Perez’ has been the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Critics’ Circle Chair’s Remarks
Rich Cline, the Critics’ Circle chair, praised Saldana’s versatile contributions to the film industry. He noted her impact across genres, ranging from her motion-capture work in “Avatar” to her role in producing female-centric narratives.
The Derek Malcolm Legacy
Derek Malcolm, the namesake of the award and a former president of the Critics’ Circle, was an influential figure in the film industry. As chief critic for The Guardian and The Evening Standard, a former director of the London Film Festival, and a governor of the British Film Institute, he left an indelible mark on the industry until his death in 2023 at the age of 91.
London Critics’ Circle Film Awards
With 208 U.K. critics casting their votes, the awards consider films released in British cinemas or on streaming platforms between mid-February 2024 and mid-February 2025. This year, Sean Baker’s “Anora” and Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” lead the nominations, each securing seven nods. The ceremony will take place Feb. 2 at London’s May Fair Hotel and will be streamed live on the Critics’ Circle YouTube channel, hosted by critic Mark Kermode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zoe Saldana?
Zoe Saldana is a renowned actress known for her roles in major franchises including “Avatar,” “Star Trek” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
What is the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation?
The Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation is a prestigious award given at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the film industry.
Who was the first recipient of the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation?
The first recipient of the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation was Colman Domingo.
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