The festival's annual 'Night of the Stars' event, hosted at La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, will shine a spotlight on Sorvino and Shlesinger. Mira Sorvino is set to receive the Virtuoso Award, a distinction reserved for actors whose recent performances demonstrate "extraordinary skill, nuance and range." This honor comes as Sorvino continues to build on a diverse career, having recently wrapped production on the highly anticipated sequel to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Her upcoming projects further underscore her versatility, including a role opposite John Travolta in Nick Vallelonga’s That’s Amore and an appearance in the ballet drama Prima, alongside Faye Dunaway, Nicola Peltz Beckham, and Jack Huston.
Iliza Shlesinger, a celebrated stand-up comedian and actress, will be presented with the Trailblazer trophy. This award celebrates a "visionary whose groundbreaking work has challenged convention, opened doors and helped shape the future of the entertainment industry." Shlesinger's evolving career sees her transitioning from the stage to the screen, with her next comedy special, Iliza Shlesinger: A Different Animal, set to premiere on Prime Video next March. Her romantic comedy film debut, Chasing Summer, which premiered at Sundance, has also been selected for a screening at SDIFF, further cementing her trailblazing status.
Tonya Mantooth, SDIFF CEO and artistic director, lauded both honorees for their unique talents. "Both Mira Sorvino and Iliza Shlesinger represent the extraordinary range of talent and artistry that we celebrate at the San Diego International Film Festival," Mantooth stated. She added that Sorvino's performances resonate with audiences through their "depth, intelligence, and versatility," while Shlesinger has "forged a distinctive voice that has expanded the possibilities of comedy and storytelling."
Beyond these prestigious honors, SDIFF has also announced the addition of three new films to its 2026 lineup. Among them is Shlesinger’s Chasing Summer, alongside Simon Stone’s Elsinore, starring Andrew Scott, and Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s La Bola Negra. The San Diego International Film Festival is scheduled to run from October 13th to 18th, promising a week of cinematic excellence and celebration.