MOVERS and SHAKERS

The S.B. International Film Fest announced last
week that actor Will Smith will be given the
Modern Master award. “The emphasis is on people at the peak of
their power, not just the end of their careers,” said festival
director Roger Durling, noting that the former Fresh
Prince of Bel Air’s new film Pursuit of
Happiness will likely make him a frontrunner for this year’s
best actor Oscar. In related news, Durling said the SBIFF, which
happens from January to February, happily received a grant from the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will make the
third weekend of the festival – a wrap-up of fest bests at the
Marjorie Luke Theatre that runs February 9 to 11 – free to locals.
Tickets will be first come, first served.