Santa Fe International Film Festival announced Wednesday that Edward James Olmos will receive the organization’s life award on October 18. This glory will be awarded Olmos in recognition of his career as an Emmy-winning actor and an activist.
Former recipient of Sfiff’s Lifetime Achievement Award includes Tantoo Cardinal, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Hardwick, Sterlin Harjo, Shirley Maclaine, Godfrey Reggio, Jay Roach, Gena Rowlands, John Sayles and Oliver Stone.
“In addition to the screen, Olmos has been a relentless advocate for under -represented voices,” Sfiff organizers said in a statement. “As founder of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Latino Film Institute and Latino Public Broadcasting, he has helped shape the cultural landscape for future generations.”
Olmos began his career as a stage actor, with one of his first significant roles as El Pachuco in the “Zoot Suit” piece, a fictional resale of the Zoot Suit rise and sleepy lagoon attempts written by Luis Valdez. This role Olmos received a Tony Award nomination for the best performance from a presented actor in a play. Olmos later broke out on the screen by showing up in the film adaptation of “Zoot Suit”, written and directed by Valdez in 1981.
The following year Olmos continued to show up in Ridley Scott’s seminal sci-fi noir “Blade Runner”, who portrayed officer Gaff together with Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard. Olmos later appeared as a gaff in “Blade Runner 2049.”
In 1984, Olmos saw for the first time in the series “Miami Vice”, with its character LT Martin Castillo who eventually presented in more than 100 episodes. In 1985, Olmos won a Primetime Emmy Prize for outstanding actors in a drama series for the role.
In 1988, Olmos saw his first and only Oscar nomination – best actor in Jaime Escalante Biopic “Stand and Deliver.” Olmos also received a Golden Globe -nomination for best actors (movie drama) for the role and won an independent spirit award for best male leaders.
One of Olmo’s most remarkable roles came in the early 2000s, when he portrayed commander William Adama in “Battlestar Galactica.” Olmos played in the series, shows up in all his four seasons and directed four episodes of the show.
“Known for a variety of roles and an ability to inspire countless audience, Edward James Olmos has shown through his exceptional career a suitability in many aspects of cinema, from sci-fi to Latino film to animation,” said Liesette Bailey, CEO of Sfiff, in a statement. “We are pleased to honor an actor and director who is not only known for his lasting performances, but also for being a leader in so many different types of film.”
Sfiff 2025 will run from October 15 to October 20. The festival will present Olmos with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, October 18 at Lensic Performing Arts Center.
