Prancing down the red carpet in a beautiful red dress came Hollywood’s signature redhead, Julianne Moore.

Recognized for her amazingly versatile dossier, there’s one idea that accurately describes her choice of acting roles. Mrs. Moore is simply not afraid of taking a risk. Of course, risk alone can be career suicide if not coupled with such talent.

It was really independent films that gave Moore the latitude and opportunity to really shine, paving her success throughout the industry. And when one considers the litany of roles that Julianne has brought to life, it’s no wonder she was presented with this year’s Montecito Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Some of her well-known roles were in the Cohen brothers’ “The Big Lebowski,” Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.” Across from Jeff Bridges, she remembers that he was so funny, she couldn’t look him in the face without cracking up. “Didn’t you think that was going to be risky playing a porn star [in Magnolia],” asked moderator, Pete Hammond. Moore wasn’t too concerned because the script was so well written; “it was genius.”

She also starred opposite Ralph Finnes in “The End of the Affair,” and with Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in “Hours.” Hammond, asked about her interest in “period” films. “I don’t care about 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 60’s, 70’s. Period doesn’t matter. What matters is the story.”

The evening concluded with friend and director, Ivan Reitman presenting Julianne with the award.