'Visionary' Villeneuve To Be Honored At PSFF For 'Dune: Part Two'

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Canadian director Denis Villeneuve will receive the Visionary Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival next month for his work on "Dune: Part Two," organizers announced Thursday.

The film is the second part of his science fiction series based on the book by Frank Herbert.

Villeneuve will join "Due" star Timothée Chalamet — who played Herbert's character Paul Atreides — on the red carpet at the festival on Jan. 3, 2025.

"Denis Villeneuve has once again pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling with `Dune: Part Two.' His visionary direction and unparalleled attention to detail have not only brought Frank Herbert's epic saga to life but also set a new standard for what film can achieve,'' festival chairmanNachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement. ``A true visual masterpiece, Villeneuve's work transcends entertainment, immersing audiences in a universe where every frame is a testament to his artistry and innovation."

The news comes just as the "Dune" director received a pair of Critics Choice Awards nominations on Thursday for the film in the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories. Despite recent success, Villeneuve was excluded from Oscar nominations this year.

Villeneuve was also nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for "Dune." The Québécois director has confirmed that the third installment of his planned trilogy, "Dune Messiah" was in the works for a 2026 release.

Each year, the award goes to a filmmaker "who breaks boundaries in the art of cinema."

The Visionary Award was previously granted to Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity) and Michel Hazanvicius ("the Artist"). Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino have also received the honor.

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