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Pam Grier to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Santa Fe International Film Festival | Exclusive

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The Santa Fe International Film Festival will recognize Pam Grier with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026, TheWrap has exclusively learned. The award will be bestowed upon Grier at an Oct. 17 ceremony at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, N. Mex.

“To be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for sharing my gifts is profoundly meaningful,” Grier said in a statement.

Last year, this recognition went to Edward James Olmos. Past recipients of SFIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award include Tantoo Cardinal, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Hardwicke, Sterlin Harjo, Shirley MacLaine, Godfrey Reggio, Jay Roach, Gena Rowlands, John Sayles and Oliver Stone.

“Pam Grier is the definition of a leading lady, her charm, grace and ability is unmatched,” Liesette Bailey, SFIFF executive director, said in a statement. “Her groundbreaking career has created a catalyst of opportunity for actresses in the industry, changing the way that roles for women have been envisioned by Hollywood writers, directors and the actresses who bring these characters to life on screen.”

Grier got her start on the screen in the exploitation films and B movies of the 1970s, with early credits in features from figures like Roger Corman and Jack Hill, including “The Big Doll House” and “The Big Bird Cage.” She would later have her breakthrough roles in projects like “Coffy” and “Foxy Brown.”

by Casey Loving