2019 Spotlight Award: Shohreh Aghdashloo

The Windsor International Film Festival presents its 2019 Spotlight Award recipient: Shohreh Aghdashloo.

Aghdashloo is one of the most distinctive, singularly impactful actresses we have working on-screen today. One only needs to recall the moment when North American audiences saw HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and said, “Who is she?” If most of us had been better versed with Iranian cinema, we would have already known she was already a star in her home country and had already been blazing a trail for herself in American cinema.

But it was her performance as Nadi in HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG that blew the roof off her career, receiving the wealth of Critics prizes for Best Supporting Actress in 2003, ultimately leading to her first Oscars Nomination to date. She followed up this film with memorable performances inTHE STONING OF SORAYA M. (screened at WIFF in 2009) and THE NATIVITY STORY, among others. She made an indelible impression in her Emmy-Winning performance in HOUSE OF SADDAM, in addition to hugely popular television series such as GRIMM, THE PUNISHER and her thrilling performance in 24. Her latest series, THE EXPANSE, confirms her as a beloved figure of all screens. Her latest projects THE CUBAN and SIMPLE WEDDING are exciting new creative projects that remind us of what makes for a great actress: we never tire of seeing her and will follow her anywhere, iconic smokey voice and all.

The Academy Award nominated star will receive the WIFF Spotlight Award in honour of her distinguished film career on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m at the Capitol Theatre (Pentastar) followed by a screening of SIMPLE WEDDING.

In celebration of Shohreh’s achievements, WIFF will also screen HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG on Friday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Armouries and THE STONING OF SORAYA M. on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1:10 p.m. at the Armouries.