British actor Benedict Cumberbatch will be honoured with the Golden Eye award at this year's Zurich Film Festival.
The festival said Cumberbatch has "charisma, intelligence and an unmistakable voice," highlighting in particular his role in the new drama "The Thing With Feathers," which he also produced.
In the film, Cumberbatch plays a father of two sons coping with the death of his wife.
"Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the most versatile character actors of his generation," said the festival's director, Christian Jungen,in a statement on Thursday.
Cumberbatch rose to fame in part through the British TV series"Sherlock," which reimagined the classic detective stories in a modern setting.
In "The Hobbit" trilogy, he provided the voice and, through motion-capture technology, the movements and expressions of the dragon Smaug.
The Golden Eye Award has previously been awarded to notable figures such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Kathryn Bigelow, cementing its status as a mark of cinematic excellence.
This award is considered a significant honour because it not only celebrates artistic brilliance but also elevates the global profile of the recipients, opening doors for international recognition and increased influence within the industry. The Zurich Film Festival is renowned for its cultural significance and for showcasing innovative films from around the world, making the Golden Eye Award a highly coveted prize that underlines a recipient's impact on contemporary cinema.
The festival runs from September 25 to October 5. Cumberbatch is set to accept the award, which honours outstanding achievements in cinema, in person on September 29. The honour went last year to Swedish actress Alicia Vikander. —dpa
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