Vanessa McMahon

Leo receives the “Sierra Spirit Award for Acting”during a special tribute on May 26

At the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (MLFF) actress and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo received the Sierra Spirit Award for Acting during a special tribute which took place on Saturday, May 26. The tribute consisted of a screening of Leo’s film, Frozen River, followed by a moderated conversation and award presentation.

Leo is best known for her Academy Award winning performance in The Fighter and Academy Award nominated role in Frozen River. She’s also recently starred in biopic The Most Hated Woman in America as activist Madelyn Murray O’Hair. Leo is currently starring in Showtime’s comedy series I’m Dying Up Here and can be next seen reprising her role in the upcoming sequel to action/thriller The Equalizer alongside Denzel Washington.

“Melissa is an actress who has demonstrated her ability to take on unique and dynamic roles that showcase her remarkable range and someone who continues to make outstanding contributions to the art of film,” said Festival Director Shira Dubrovner.

Past festival honorees have included Joe Dante and John Sayles for their incomparable and thought-provoking directorial work.

Now in its fourth year, the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival proudly showcased the work of emerging, innovative filmmakers and artists against the backdrop of California’s ruggedly beautiful premiere vacation destination. The festival took place from Wednesday, May 23 with their Opening Night film, Damsel. Throughout the week there were scheduled competition screenings, spotlight presentation screenings and receptions. The festival concluded on Sunday, May 27 with the Closing Night film, Love, Gilda.

About Mammoth Lakes Film Festival

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, held in the scenic and majestic setting of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra region of California, brings together world-class cinema, emerging filmmakers, industry veterans, and audiences from around the world to celebrate films with thought-provoking stories. The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival is a DBA under Mammoth Lakes Foundation—the nonprofit founded in 1989 by Dave McCoy (who also founded Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in 1953). Dave McCoy turns 103 years old this August and is excited to be a part of the fourth annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival. Visit www.MammothLakesFilmFestival.com for more information or connect on Facebook and Twitter.

2018 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Sponsors include Honda, Panavision, Light Iron, VER, Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, Tambour Foundation, Paul and Kathleen Rudder, Sierra Nevada Resort & Spa (preferred lodging partner), Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Blue Moon, Black Box Wine, Chapman University and many others.