By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
They let the credits roll.
Hosts of the Sacramento International Film Festival marked their 30th anniversary celebration by acknowledging people who have supported them and efforts to highlight the film arts locally and around the world.
Icon and activist Danny Glover was presented with the evening’s Visionary Spirit Award for his continued contributions to the film industry. Hosts called Glover, who traveled from the Bay Area, a “California all-star.” Glover has starred in countless movies, including the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, “The Color Purple,” “Dreamgirls,” “Almost Christmas,” “Boesman and Lena,” “Beloved,” and “2012,” in which he played the president. He also appeared in “Supremacy,” the 2014 movie directed by Sacramento Black director Deon Taylor, which was previously featured by the Sacramento International Film Festival.
In his acceptance speech, the 78-year-old Glover talked about “understanding the assignment,” giving every role his all and the importance of representing one’s family and community in whatever platform you’re given.
Other award recipients included filmmaker and classical music performer Susheel Bibbs, OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer Genoa Barrow and local playwright Richard Broadhurst.
“It was lovely to be honored on the same night as Danny,” Broadhurst said. “He has been a big supporter of [my] arts in corrections program. He came out once to the prison in Solano to listen to some of the work done by my students. It took almost two hours to get him out of there because he wanted to stop and talk to everyone.”
The awards presentation was hosted by festival director Martin Anaya and his co-star Vincent Dee Miles, who spearheads the festival’s annual Cine-Soul showcase.