Jessica Lange will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 SCAD Savannah Film Festival, recognising her contributions to film, television and theatre over a career spanning more than five decades. The award will be presented during a special screening of Long Day’s Journey Into Night, in which Lange stars alongside Ed Harris. The festival, organised by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), will take place from October 24 to 31 in Savannah, Georgia.
Jessica Lange will be honoured for her performances across a wide range of roles and genres, earning recognition in film and television as well as on stage. In Long Day’s Journey Into Night, she plays Mary Tyrone, a role she previously portrayed on Broadway, winning a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her performance.
“Jessica Lange has given us some of the most unforgettable performances of the past five decades, bringing extraordinary intelligence, vulnerability and power to every role,” said Christina Routhier, senior executive director of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Routhier added that the festival was honoured to celebrate Lange’s body of work and welcome her to SCAD for an evening with students and audiences.
Jessica Lange made her film debut in King Kong and went on to establish herself with performances in films such as Tootsie and Blue Sky. Her role in Blue Sky earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also received acclaim for her television work, including projects such as Grey Gardens and Feud. Her career has continued across different formats, with roles in television productions and films that have further demonstrated her range as a performer.
Alongside her screen career, Lange has maintained a strong presence in theatre. Her performance as Mary Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey Into Night remains a significant part of her stage work, earning her major recognition on Broadway. The festival’s special screening of the play’s adaptation will offer audiences an opportunity to revisit one of her notable performances.
Jessica Lange is among several artists set to be recognised at this year’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival. The 2026 honourees also include Paul Bettany, who will receive the Virtuoso Award; Helen Mirren, who will be presented with the Legend of Entertainment Award; and Julianne Moore, who will receive the Icon Award. The festival will also honour other performers and creative professionals across film and television.
The 2026 festival will feature a lineup of screenings, special presentations and conversations with filmmakers and industry professionals. The event will open with A Talent for Murder and close with Wild Horse Nine, while The Debut will be presented as the Centerpiece Gala Presentation on October 27. The programme will include gala screenings, competitions, documentaries, animated films and opportunities for audiences to engage with artists working across the industry.
Presented by SCAD, the Savannah Film Festival brings together established filmmakers, emerging talent, students and audiences for a week of films and industry events. The festival also provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with the next generation of creative professionals.
Jessica Lange’s Lifetime Achievement Award will celebrate her lasting contribution to the entertainment industry and her work across multiple mediums. With the special screening of Long Day’s Journey Into Night forming part of the event, the festival will recognise both her celebrated career and one of her notable stage performances.