Video by Marc Bennett and Guy Kennedy.

Jeffrey Wright has been honored with the Montecito Award at the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Wright received the award on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at an in-person conversation about his career leading up to this year’s performance in Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios’ AMERICAN FICTION, written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Wright has received lead actor nominations from the Gotham Awards, Spirit Awards, Golden Globe Awards and the Critics Choice Awards thus far for his wonderful performance as protagonist, ‘Thelonious "Monk" Ellison.’ 

“I've been a fan of Mr. Wright since I first saw him in 1993 in the original Broadway production of "Angels in America."  I've since admired that he brings a high level of class and integrity to every role he does.   Yet, no film had capitalized on his extraordinary range and virtuosity until "American Fiction."  It is about time.” SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling stated.

Watch the video of his conversation with Roger Durling