Danielle Deadwyler will be honored with the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) acting award at a special screening of her latest film, Netflix’s The Piano Lesson, during the festival’s 47th edition.
The California Film Institute (CAFILM) will present the award as part of the MVFF Spotlight program, which highlights exceptional performances by film artists. Deadwyler, who follows in the footsteps of previous honorees such as Regina King, Denis Villeneuve, and Brie Larson, will be celebrated for her role in the film.
In The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington and adapted from August Wilson’s acclaimed play, Deadwyler stars as Berniece Charles. The film revolves around a family dispute over a cherished piano, with Deadwyler’s character determined to preserve the family heirloom while her brother (John David Washington) plans to sell it. Samuel L. Jackson also stars, attempting to mediate the conflict amid the haunting legacy of their past. The film, produced by Denzel Washington and Todd Black, features a notable cast including Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, and Corey Hawkins.
MVFF Director of Programming Zoë Elton praised both the film and Deadwyler’s performance, describing her work as “exquisite” and a testament to her talent, as seen previously in Till. The award presentation and screening will take place on Sunday, October 6, at Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley, California, followed by an on-stage conversation. The Piano Lesson will open in select theaters on November 8 before streaming on Netflix starting November 22.
Deadwyler, recognized for her acclaimed portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley in Till, has also been nominated for awards for her work in Station Eleven and has credits including From Scratch, The Harder They Fall, and Watchmen. Her upcoming projects include the action-thriller Carry On, the post-apocalyptic drama 40 Acres, and The Women in the Yard, a project she stars in and executive produces.
