Oprah Winfrey to be honored at Santa Barbara Film Festival

Oprah Winfrey will receive theMontecito Award at the 29th Santa Barbara InternationalFilm Festival. The honoring follows her role in “ The Butler,”playing the role of Gloria, opposite Forest Whitaker.

The prize is bestowed to stars who gavea standout acting performances throughout their careers. "MsWinfrey, the actress, inhabits [her The Butler character]Gloria Gaines with such gusto - she makes you forget Oprah theimpresario," Santa Barbara Film Festival director Roger Durlingsaid.

hefestival will also be honoring Forest Whitaker. Past honorees includeDaniel Day-Lewis, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Javier Bardem and Naomi Watts.