American actor Jharrel Jerome and Chinese actress Zhao Tao have joined the big names who will be honoured at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Tribute Awards.
The two stars will be recognized for their contributions to cinema at an evening event organized by TIFF organizers on September 8.
Jerome will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award for his lifetime achievement, which includes his first performance in a feature film in Moonlightby Barry Jenkins, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, where he plays the childhood best friend of the main character.
He also played one of the wrongly accused teenagers in the series. In their eyes from Netflix and lent his voice to Miles in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Tao will receive the TIFF Special Tribute Award for his career of memorable collaborations, including Still Life And The Eternals (Ash is the Purest White).
Both actors will be at the festival with their latest films. Jerome plays wrestler Anthony Robles in Unstoppable: The Anthony Robles Storywhile Tao promotes Caught by the Tides.
They join previously announced Tribute Award recipients, including Toronto filmmaker David Cronenberg, winner of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award; Cate Blanchett, nominated for this year’s Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award; and Amy Adams, who will also receive a Best Actress award.
The 49e TIFF will take place from September 5 to 15.