Precious Gem Award

The Precious Gem Award has been Miami Film Festival’s signature award since it was introduced in 2015. It is reserved for honoring the truly special stars of the art form, those one-of-a-kind artists whose contributions to cinema are lasting and unforgettable. Miami values are shining brilliance and immeasurable rarity, thus the ‘Precious Gem’ is the perfect symbol for our highest appreciation, our greatest gratitude, to those artists who have both entertained us and brought us greater understanding of our human condition.

2024 Recipient

Sheryl Lee Ralph – Precious GEM Award

In 2022, Sheryl Lee Ralph won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Barbara Howard on ABC’s hit comedy series Abbott Elementary. She was nominated again for the series’ second season. On stage, she is well known for her award-winning work and for crea ng the role of Deena Jones in the legendary Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which earned her Best Actress nods for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Read Full Annoucement.

2022 RECIPIENTS

Actress, Penélope Cruz
Filmmaker, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Filmmaker, Ramin Bahrani

2021 RECIPIENTS

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar – Precious Gem Master Award

Actress Rita Moreno – Precious Gem Icon Award

Actor Javier Cámara – Precious Gem Award

 

2020 RECIPIENTS

Actress: Amy Ryan
Actress: Emma Suárez.

2019 RECIPIENT

Actress Patricia Clarkson

2018 RECIPIENTS

Filmmaker Carlos Saura (PRECIOUS GEM MASTER)

Actress Isabelle Huppert (PRECIOUS GEM ICON)Filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius (MARQUEE AWARD)

Filmmaker Paul Schrader (MARQUEE AWARD)

Producers Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri (The Florida Project)

Filmmaker Mateo Gil (MARQUEE AWARD)

2017 RECIPIENTS

Actress Rossy de Palma (Tribute/Evening With only)

Actress Bárbara Lennie (Spain)

Film Society Platinum Member Silvia Rios Fortun, for 34 consecutive years of supporting Miami Film Festival.

2016 RECIPIENT

Filmmaker Marcos Carnevale (Argentina)

2015 RECIPIENT

Don Francisco on the occasion of the release of The 33, for his humanitarian efforts to help the trapped Chilean miners dramatized in the film. Awarded in the presence and with the support of stars Kate del Castillo and Rodrigo Santoro.