Danny Glover has been present on the theatre stage and on small and large screens for more than 25 years. As an actor, he appeared in blockbuster hits such as Lethal Weapon, as well as in small independent movies, some of which he produced. In the last few years he was in a number of movies, from the critically acclaimed Dreamgirls by Director Bill Condon to the futuristic story in 2012 by Director Roland Emmerich. In addition, Glover is a very popular public speaker whose speeches can be heard at college campuses, union meetings and business conferences.
Glover is also highly appreciated for his activism and charity work, particularly through programs that advocate for economic justice, providing health care and education in the USA and Africa, for which he was awarded in 2006 with a DGA Honor and in 2011 with the Pioneer Award of the National Civil Rights Museum. Between 1998 and 2004 he was a UN goodwill Ambassador, and dealt with issues of poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin American and the Caribbean. The French Ministry for Culture in 2011 gave him the prestigious award Medaille des Arts et des Letters, and the International Film Festival in Deauville paid tribute. Glover is currently the Ambassador of UNICEF.
In 2005, along with screenwriter and producer Josly Barnes he founded the production company “Louverture Films” with a seat in New York. The production house is dedicated to the development and production of films of historical importance, which deals with social issues, and has commercial and artistic value. Among the films that Glover worked on as executive producer were Bamako, nominated for a César award, Trouble the Water, which was nominated for Sundance Grand Jury Prize, Oscar and Emmy, the Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 and the House I Live In, the winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize form 2012. Glover also worked as an assistant producer in The Time That Remains and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.
Glover was born in San Francisco and was educated in the Black Actor’s Workshop in the American Theatre Conservatory. He had his debut in the Broadway show Master Harold…And the Boys, which brought him immense popularity and thanks to which he was given his first role by Director Robert Benton in the movie Places in the Heart, nominated for best film in 1984. The following year, Glover received two more roles in films that were nominated for best films that year-Witness by Peter Weir and The Color Purple by Steven Spielberg. In 1987 he starred with Mel Gibson in his first film series Lethal Weapon, after which three more films were made. Glover proved his acting talent in many demanding projects such as To Sleep With Anger, for which he was an executive producer and won the Independent Spirit Award, and the films Bopha!, Manderlay and Missing in America, as well as the adoption of the Fugard play Boseman and Lena. He also starred in the films The Royal Tenenbaums, Saw, Shooter and Death at a Funeral.
As for the small screen, Glover is the winner of the Image and Cable ACE awards, and he was nominated for an Emmy award for his role in the film Mandela in HBO’s production. He also was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the acclaimed mini-series Lonesome Dove and in the film Freedom Song, as well as directing the film Just a Dream. Of the recent achievements, Glover starred in the popular television series Touch, and finished the filming of Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight, in which he plays the role of the judge Thurgood Marshall.
Motivated by Katrin’s inspirational character and works, the intention of the Foundation is to give new voices, perspectives and attitudes the chance to see and hear. In the last nine years, from the circle of Katrin’s friends and colleagues, the foundation chose a curator, who then chose the winner of this year’s stipend. The winner is always a new film voice whose work, in some way, embodies Katrin’s integrity of spirit and commitment to independent film.
Sarajevo Film Festival is grateful for the genorisity and vision of those who have helped the work of the Foundation until now: Actors Charlotte Rampling, Emily Watson and Stellan Skarsgård, Directors Mike Leigh, Simon McBurney and Danis Tanović, as well as John Lyons, Annie Nocenti and photographer Juergen Teller.
The winners will be given the award at a special gala that will take place during the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Through its trustees and patrons, the Foundation is also committed to working to help young filmmakers and to provide practical and creative support.
(Source: Sarajevo Film Festival)