Posted by Larry Gleeson

Three-time Oscar nominee Saoirse (“Ser-Scha”) Ronan received the prestigious Santa Barbara Award at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) tonight at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California.

The Santa Barbara Award, presented by UGG®, went to Ronan for her critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role) portrayal of leading character, Lady Bird McPherson, in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, an A24 release.

The Santa Barbara award is given to a person in the entertainment industry who has made a great contribution to film. Ronan began acting at the age of six and landed her first Oscar nomination, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, in the Joe Wright (Darkest Hour) film, Atonement (2007), at the age of thirteen.

Ronan is no stranger to Santa Barbara having garnered the Outstanding Performer Award In 2016 for her role as Eilis in John Crowley’s Brooklyn (2015). A role she also received an Oscar nomination, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. Moreover, in 2010 she received a Virtuoso Award for her role as Susie Salmon in the Peter Jackson-directed film, The Lovely Bones (2009).

Anne Thompson, IndieWire Editor-At-Large, moderated the evening’s tribute.

*Featured photo of Saoirse Ronan, left, and SBIFF Executive Roger Durling. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)