Directors Pedro Almodovar and Spike Lee will receive special awards at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey announced on Thursday. Almodovar will receive the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media, which is sponsored by Participant, while Lee will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, named for the late film critic Roger Ebert. The honors will be presented during the TIFF Tribute Awards on Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, on the fourth night of the 11-day festival. “Pedro has been coming to TIFF for years and each time is better than the time before,” Bailey said in a statement. “His artistic vision, bold storytelling, and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinema have had a profound impact on cinema. He challenges societal norms, champions diversity, and illuminates the human experience with sensitivity and grace.” Since 2019, the TIFF Tribute Awards have been presented at a fundraising gala during the festival. In addition to the Jeff Skoll Impact Media Award and the Ebert Director Award, the event typically presents a Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award presented by Bulgari, and two Actor Awards, which usually go to performers who have films in the festival.
