Legacy Award Winner Giancarlo Esposito
Be sure not to miss Giancarlo’s Master Class on Saturday 2-4:PM, the screening of his film Gospel Hill followed by Q&A on Saturday 7-9:PM and a reception with Giancarlo on Saturday 9-11:PM.
Each year The Moondance Legacy Award is presented to a person who has created, through his or her life-long work in film, television, theater, writing and/or music composition, a meaningful body of work of the highest quality. This work will be passed down to future generations and emulated as a standard for excellence, and inspiration to others.
This year The Moondance International Film Festival is proud to present The 2014 Moondance Legacy Award to Emmy-nominated actor, director, and producer Giancarlo Esposito.
Best known for his portrayal of Gustavo “Gus” Fring on the AMC series Breaking Bad, Giancarlo Esposito is a celebrated television, film and stage actor whose acting career spans over several decades. For Breaking Bad he won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama at the 2012 Critics’ Choice Television Awards and was nominated for an award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2014, he was honored with a Star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.Esposito is currently in production on two films. He reteams with director Jon Favreau on the animated/live action Disney blockbuster “The Jungle Book,” voicing Akeela, leader of the wolf pack. The movie also co-stars Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong’o, Christopher Walken, Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson & Idris Elba. Esposito is also starring in the independent musical drama, “Stuck,” based on the stage play. The story takes place in New York and is the story of six strangers stuck in a stalled Manhattan subway car. Esposito will play Lloyd, a mysterious homeless man who may also offer more wisdom than others expect.
Giancarlo as Gus Fring
He will then direct, produce & star in the independent historical drama “Political Treason,” the story of abolitionist John Brown. Esposito will play Fredrick Douglass opposite 4-time Academy Award® nominee Ed Harris. He recently finished production on the independent thriller, “Poker Night,” opposite Ron Perlman, Titus Welliver & Ron Eldard – starring as a seasoned police detective (December 5).
Giancarlo Esposito
Esposito has appeared in notable films such as “Rabbit Hole,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Smoke” and “The Last Holiday.” His performances in Spike Lee’s films “Do the Right Thing”, “Mo’ Better Blues,” “School Daze” and “Malcolm X” are among his most memorable. Esposito’s other film credits include outstanding performances in “Alex Cross,” “SherryBaby,” “Ali,” “Nothing to Lose,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “Bob Roberts”, “King of New York” and “Cotton Club.” In 1995, Esposito was recognized for his incredible work in “Fresh” with a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.
In 2007 through his production company, Quiet Hand Productions, Esposito made his feature directorial debut with the film “Gospel Hill.” He also co-starred with Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles, Taylor Kitsch and Samuel L. Jackson, and the film won over nine awards at various acclaimed film festivals. Quiet Hand Productions aspires to make “conscious content” films that focus on the inspirational. The company currently has several projects in development, in which Esposito plans to direct, produce and co-star.
The Breaking Bad team in the “kitchen”.
Esposito’s many television credits include “Revolution,” “Community,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Homicide: Life on The Streets,” “Law and Order,” “Bakersfield PD,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “Kidnapped.”
He is also very well-known to theatre goers for his award-winning work on stage. He recently starred in Atlantic Theatre Company’s world premiere of “Storefront Church,” written and directed by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner John Patrick Shanley. “Storefront Church” was the final installment of the trilogy called “Church & State,”and began with “Doubt.” Esposito has won two Obie Awards for “Zooman and The Sign” at the Negro Ensemble Company and “Distant Fires” at The Atlantic Theatre Company, where he continues to perform and teach as a company member. His long list of Broadway credits include “Sacrilege”, “Seesaw”, “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Lost In The Stars” to name a few. He also co-starred on Broadway with James Earl Jones, Terrence Howard and Phylicia Rashad in Debbie Allen¹s rendition of the great classic Tennessee Williams play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
Esposito is a yoga enthusiast and spends his free time riding his motorcycle and practicing the saxophone. He is a proud board member of the Creative Coalition, an arts and advocacy group that champions the First Amendment. He also lends his support to other various organizations that support the arts and education, including the Waterkeeper Alliance, Kids for Peace & World Merit USA.