Mel Brooks and Angela Bassett will receive lifetime achievement Oscars– aka Governor’s Awards — from the Motion Picture Academy.
Film editor Carol Littleton will be honored as well. And Michelle Satter of the Sundance Film Institute, will get the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
These are all great choices. Brooks, who is 96, is a legend who deserves all the accolades in the world. From “The Producers” to “Blazing Saddles” and his dozens of other films, Mel has been a huge influence on everyone. Viva Mel!
Angela Bassett was nominated this year but didn’t win, unaccountably, for “Black Panther.” A star for 30 years, she is also beloved by the fans and industry, has a huge list of top credits, and also appears on TV’s “Rescue 911.”
Littleton’s amazing list of credits includes “ET,” “The Big Chill,” “Places in the Heart,” “Silverado,” “Grand Canyon,” and many more. She made those kids on their bikes fly!
Satter is the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, focused on the cultural impact of supporting independent storytellers. In her more than 40 years in this role at the nonprofit, she has discovered and fostered the careers of hundreds of notable and award-winning filmmakers, many from underrepresented communities. She has also led the Sundance Institute’s international initiatives in Asia, Europe, India, Latin America and the Middle East. She founded and oversees the vision and content of Sundance Collab, a global digital storytelling community and learning platform.
“The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” said Academy President Janet Yang. “Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting. Mel Brooks lights up our hearts with his humor, and his legacy has made a lasting impact on every facet of entertainment. Carol Littleton’s career in film editing serves as a model for those who come after her. A pillar of the independent film community, Michelle Satter has played a vital role in the careers of countless filmmakers around the world.”
