Oscar front-runner Mahershala Ali has garnered overwhelming praise for his supporting actor performance in "Moonlight," and the accolades keep coming.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival announced Friday that Ali will be presented with the Breakthrough Performance Award at its annual Film Awards Gala on Jan. 2.
"Mahershala Ali is one of the most in-demand actors in film and television," festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement.
"Ali gives one of the best supporting performances of the year in 'Moonlight' as Juan, a Miami drug dealer who opens his doors to Little when he sees the boy being chased through the streets by a gang," he added. "For this role that has already received several awards and is sure to receive many more, it is our honor to present the Breakthrough Performance Award to Mahershala Ali."
Though Ali has been on the radar of the film and TV industry since his role as Dr. Trey Sanders on NBC's "Crossing Jordan" in 2001, he has had a banner year in 2016, with a role on Netflix's "Luke Cage" series, as well as in the upcoming film "Hidden Figures."
Past recipients of the Breakthrough Performance Award include Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson and Lupita Nyong'o, all of whom went on to win the Academy Award for their recognized performances.
Other actors and films being celebrated at this year's festival include Annette Bening, Amy Adams, Casey Affleck, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Ruth Negga and the casts of "La La Land" and "Hidden Figures."
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is set for Jan. 2-16 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
