ISFFH Announces Hector Elizondo as Recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award

Robin Saban, Founder and President of the International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) is pleased to announce award-winning actor Hector Elizondo as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at the 11th annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood.

For over forty-five years, award-winning actor Hector Elizondo has enjoyed a successful and prolific career in film, television, theatre, and radio. As a native New Yorker, it is fitting that Elizondo first garnered recognition for his portrayal of ‘God’ in Steambath on the New York stage, a role that earned him an Obie Award. High-praise continued to follow Elizondo on Broadway where he performed in Neil Simon’s Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Great White Hope, and the critically celebrated revival of Arthur Miller’s The Price alongside Eli Wallach at the Roundabout Theatre. Elizondo received a respected Drama Desk Award Nomination, for his performance in Broadway’s original run of the comedy Sly Fox.

Elizondo was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an American Comedy Award for his iconic depiction of the hotel manager in the timeless classic Pretty Women. Recently, Elizondo was featured in Garry Marshall’s mega hit Valentine’s Day and the follow-up film, New Year’s Eve. Some of Elizondo’s other film credits include The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, American Gigolo, Young Doctors in Love, Nothing in Common, The Flamingo Kid, Runaway Bride, Tortilla Soup, The Music Within, Love in the Time of Cholera, and Princess Diaries (I & II).

In 1997, Elizondo won the prestigious Emmy Award for an Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his poignant and heartfelt portrayal of ‘Dr. Phillip Watters’ on CBS’ “Chicago Hope.” His six years on the critically acclaimed “Chicago Hope” earned him four Emmy Nominations, an ALMA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Nomination. Elizondo also starred alongside Anne Bancroft in the two-character drama “Mrs. Cage” for PBS’s acclaimed series “American Playhouse,” for which he received another Emmy Nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Elizondo’s numerous television appearances began with guest starring roles on now classic episodes of “Colombo,” “All in the Family,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Kojak,” and “The West Wing.” Some of his more recent guest appearances include recurring roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Monk.” Elizondo is currently starring with Tim Allen in ABC’s comedy, “Last Man Standing.”

On top of all this, Elizondo has also done many voice-overs, including Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed PBS documentary series “The West.” Elizondo also served as the host for the CBS special “Mysterious Man of the Shroud.” Elizondo is especially proud of his involvement in the distinguished LA Theatre Works, a group of forty top actors who devote their time and talent to revive classic radio dramas as respected contemporary art form for National Public Radio (N.P.R.).

Furthermore, Elizondo enjoys giving back to his community. Due to his mother’s battle with the disease, Elizondo has become a strong voice in Alzheimer’s awareness, and currently acts as the celebrity spokesperson for The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). By making public appearances on the issue, he helps to publicize the AFA’s National Memory Screening Day, which strives to inform, educate, and screen as many people as they can reach. He has been honored with the Diversity Award’s prestigious “Integrity Award” as well as Nosotros’ “Lifetime Achievement Award” for the quality of roles he has chosen during his career and how they have continued to improve the image of Latinos on screen. Elizondo is also an avid supporter of Amnesty International, The American Cancer Society, and The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Hollywood is the capital city of the entertainment world. The ISFFH offers student filmmakers from all over the world a unique opportunity to gain the recognition of film industry leaders. It is a forum for student filmmakers to showcase their independent films in Hollywood. This event at the epicenter of the film industry puts these students face to face with working Directors, Producers, and other industry professionals throughout the event, giving them the invaluable opportunity to promote themselves and their films.

After years of work in film and theater and passionate about the opportunity to offer student filmmakers well-deserved recognition for their talents, entertainment industry veteran, Robin Saban founded the International Student Film Festival Hollywood, focused solely on students in September of 2003.

The ISFFH is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of others. For more information about the ISFFH, please visit our website www.isffhollywood.org.

We thank the following sponsors for supporting the next generation of filmmakers. American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, Footage Firm, Video Blocks, RobinSaban.com, LA411, Turkla.com, Movie Magic, and NoHoArtsDistrict.com.