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Jennifer Lawrence, the Oscar-winning actress, was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the San Sebastian Film Festival at just 35 years of age.
She called it ‘an incredible honour’ as she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at the 73rd edition of one of the most famous events in the cinematic calender on Friday.
Lawrence, wearing a backless olive dress with a straight fringe and a frontless olive dress, was applauded loudly by the audience at the Kursaal Theatre when she received this prestigious award from J.A. Bayona’s hits include The Impossible Survival drama wins Goya Awards Society of the Snow
In an emotional speech, the 35-year-old American thanked the panel for handing her the gong – before revealing her love for Basque cuisine.
Lawrence thanked the San Sebastian Film Festival, “for thinking of me and giving me this amazing honor.”
“I’m so happy to be here – not just for the food, which is reason enough to visit!”
San Sebastian, located on Spain’s northern coast, is famed for its mouth-watering Basque gastronomy including delicious bite-sized ‘pintxos’ – and boasts the second most Michelin stars per capita of any city in the world after Kyoto, Japan.
READ MORE Jennifer Lawrence is the youngest person ever to receive Donostia Award in Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival
Lawrence, whose films have grossed over €5 billion worldwide, also praised the San Sebastian Film Festival, saying ‘there’s something really special about being at a festival like this where people genuinely love cinema and storytelling and the art and soul of movies’.
The movie gala, which attracts dozens of Hollywood A-listers every year, is ‘a place where every corner of the globe can teach us about each other, bring us together for shared emotional experience and sometimes remind us, at just the right moment, that maybe we are all more connected than it may seem at times’, she added.
Lawrence avoided political topics in his speech, but at a previous press conference, he had denounced Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza. He said: “What is happening in Gaza is nothing less than genocide, and it’s terrible.”
Lawrence, who is from the US, also offered a harsh critique of American politics. “What makes my so sad is that disrespect is being shown in the current discourse about American politics and how this is going to become normalized for the kids.” They’re going to accept that politicians will lie.
She urged attendees at the festival to ‘stay focused on who is responsible’ rather than directing anger at actors and other artists.
READ MORE: Cate Blanchett, 55, picks up lifetime achievement award at San Sebastian film festival in Spain: Australian actress receives heartfelt video message from ‘proud friend’ George Clooney
Lawrence presented her new film in San Sebastian. Die, My LoveRobert Pattinson is also in this film.
She plays Grace, an aspiring young mother who’s mental state quickly deteriorates when suspicions over her husbands infidelity increase.
Lawrence’s accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA, three Golden Globes and a Peabody Award – although she is perhaps known for playing lead character Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games Film series
The Donostia Award is an annual award given by the San Sebastian International Film Festival to actors and directors.
The ceremony takes place in San Sebastian on the coast, which is called Donostia.
Gregory Peck, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Caine are among the previous recipients. Francis Ford Coppola also received this award, as did Robert de Niro.
Lawrence and Esther Garcia are this year’s winners. Esther Garcia is a Spanish producer who has strong ties with Pedro Almodovar.
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