LA JOLLA, Calif. (KGTV) \u2014 The San Diego International Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with a star-studded Night of Stars gala, honoring EGOT actress Viola Davis with the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence.<\/p>\n
The EGOT-winning actress reflected on the importance of staying true to herself and the characters she portrays throughout her career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like whatever people take away is what they take away. I can\u2019t dictate that, but I\u2019ve always maintained my integrity,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n
Davis also reflected on the impact her roles have had on audiences, particularly young Black women.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve always honored the characters that I played, and I met them exactly where they were,\u201d Davis said. \u201cI didn’t make them more beautiful than what they were, funnier than what they were. I just met them where they were, at the point of life that they were at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davis wasn’t the only star recognized during the evening. Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino received the festival’s Virtuoso Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love acting so much. It’s like my favorite activity in the world, and I’m blessed to be able to still be doing it,\u201d Sorvino said.<\/p>\n
The Night of the Stars kicked off six days of film screenings, featuring 90 movies from 22 countries as the festival celebrates its 25th year.<\/p>\n
While the red carpet brings some of Hollywood’s biggest names to San Diego, organizers say the festival is also an opportunity to highlight stories that might otherwise go untold.<\/p>\n
One featured documentary, People of the West, explores California’s history through Native American perspectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time in history, we’re telling California’s history from the Native perspective all up and down the state,\u201d said Nico Magee, executive producer of the documentary.<\/p>\n
The film highlights how storytelling can preserve history and bring underrepresented perspectives to wider audiences.<\/p>\n
Film critic Scott Mantz said audiences can also expect to see movies that will continue generating conversation throughout awards season.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re going to see a lot of movies that we’re going to be talking about for the next six months until the Academy Awards,\u201d Mantz said.<\/p>\n