Virtual Award Presentation & Exclusive Conversation with Andra Day and Variety’s Film Awards Editor, Clayton Davis
The Miami Film Festival is proud to present an Art of Light Award for Acting to Andra Day.
Powerful, inspiring, beautiful—those are just a few words that illustrate the force that is Andra Day. With a voice that can only be described as God-given, Andra has unapologetically charted her own course for success.
Hailing from Southeast San Diego, this SoCal native dedicated her life to the arts at a young age. Between singing in her church choir and diligently studying dance, theater, and music in school, it's no surprise that she has become an internationally recognized and respected musician and singer.
Her full-length debut Cheers to the Fall [Buskin Records / Warner Records] garnered a Best R&B Album nomination and her RIAA 2x Multi-Platinum single "Rise Up" received a nod for "Best R&B Performance" at the 2016 GRAMMY® Awards. The song has since become the anthem to the Black Lives Matter movement, providing the audio heartbeat for activists and changemakers across the world. Andra quickly followed in 2017 with the moving anthem "Stand Up For Something" [feat. Common] from the Marshall official soundtrack album and film. The song received a nomination for "Best Original Song" at the 2017 Academy Awards.
Andra's ability to connect with audiences everywhere and her commitment to giving back has allowed her to share the stage with a diverse group of people from Michelle and Barack Obama to Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, Common and Bonnie Raitt. Her undeniable beauty and vivacious personality have graced the cover and pages of Essence, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, The New York Times, Vibe, Vanity Fair and more.
In 2021 Andra made her acting debut starring as her idol and biggest musical influence, Billie Holiday, in the biopic The United States vs Billie Holiday, directed by Oscar-winner Lee Daniels. Marking a life and career-defining moment, Andra Day is sure to gain critical acclaim for her fully immersive transformation into the legend that is Billie Holiday.