Jennifer Lawrence set for major film honor

JENNIFER LAWRENCE will follow in the footsteps of KATE WINSLET and CHARLIZE THERON when she is honored at the 2013 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) in California.

The 22-year-old actress will be presented with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at a special ceremony on 26 January (13) at the historic Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara.

SBIFF executive director Roger Durlin says, "Ms. Lawrence impressed us earlier this year in The Hunger Games, but has now left us moonstruck with her career-defining performance in Silver Linings Playbook - recalling classic turns by (Hollywood greats Carole) Lombard, (Barbara) Stanwyck and (Claudette) Colbert. Naming her our Outstanding Performer of the Year is an understatement."

The coveted trophy has also previously been awarded to Heath Ledger, Dame Helen Mirren, Angelina Jolie, Penelope Cruz, Colin Firth, James Franco, and Viola Davis.