SBIFF - James Franco - Outstanding Performance Award

James Franco is a jack of all trades.  He is an accomplished director, actor, screenwriter, film producer, author, and painter.   He  began acting in the late 1990's starring in a short lived TV series called Freaks and Geeks and a few teen films.  His career was officially launched in 2001 when he played James Dean in Mark Rydell's television film, James Dean, which earned him a Golden Globe award.

Franco achieved his international fame by playing Harry Osborn in the Spiderman franchise and went on to do films such as The Great Raid (2005), Tristan and Isolde (2006), and Annapolis (2006).

He had his best year in 2008 playing alongside Academy Award winner Sean Penn in Milk, and a pot smoking stoner in the comedy hit Pineapple Express.  This all led to 2010 where he played the the role of Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's film 127 Hours.  In this powerful performance, Franco, who was on screen much of time alone, is faced with the ultimate test of survival as he amputates his own arm to save his life while trapped in a deep and narrow crevice.  This performance earned him the Outstanding Performance Award at this years film festival.

When I was listening to Leonard Maltin's inteview with Franco, it was clear to me how he has risen to the top of his profession.   

Franco has no fear of any role he undertakes and he has no problem about putting himself in different types of roles.  His golden rule is always be in a movie that he would want to see himself.  Whether, it's a grass smoking stoner or an artist on General Hospital, Franco relishes in the fact that he can make fun of himself and this, I believe, is what sustains him and will continue his career.  And yes. . .the guy can act, too.

He loves being in school, also.  While most students can't wait to finish school, Franco goes back frequently for a class or two.  He is now enrolled at Yale University.

Franco is nominated for an Academy Award for 127 Hours and is hosting the co-hosting the 2011 Oscars this month with Anne Hathaway.  Wow!  Talk about being at the top of your game.

This night started on the traditonal red carpet with a well dressed but tardy, James Franco, posing for hundreds of photographs.  No one seemed to mind the wait as his adoring fans were louder than most compared to the other "red carpets" I have attended.  Moderator, Leonard Maltin also walked the red carpet and he is a true gentleman.  He went out of his way to talk with everyone, including the 3 or 4 local schools that had kids present to ask him questions.

Presenting the Outstanding Performance Award to Franco was his friend and co-star in Pineapple Express, Seth Rogen.  Rogen delivered the line of the night when he said "it's so nice, Santa Barbara, that you have a theater inside a Mexican restaurant."  Rogen gave a very comedic presentation and one can definitely feel the friendship between he and Franco.

James Franco is now one of those actors who have earned movie star status.  And we all know what they say about stars: "they never die."