Focus on Film


These days it seems like the main coverage of every film festival is about what swag the celebs are grabbing up. But for the vast majority of those involved, the focus is truly about the films, the film makers and the passion they have for the art form. With that in mind, Aaron Eckhart was honored with the 2007 Ray-Ban Visionary Award, which was presented in association with The Creative Coalition during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (Eckart is shown above flanked by Luxottica’s Vittorio Verdun and Pierre Fay, and the Coalition’s Robin Bronk.)

The evening was hosted by Antonio Miyakawa, executive vice president of Luxottica Group and Bronk, executive director of The Creative Coalition. Eckhart was presented with the award by actor Josh Hartnett (pictured, bottom), with whom he worked on the film “The Black Dahlia.” The event concluded with a special musical performance by the power pop band All-American Rejects (pictured, middle).

Besides starring in Brian De Palma’s “The Black Dahlia,” Eckhart also played a spokesman and lobbyist for Big Tobacco in the satirical comedy “Thank You for Smoking.” His brash performance earned him a Best Actor nomination for the 2007 Golden Globes. Eckhart’s other films include “Conversations with Other Women,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Nurse Betty” and “In the Company of Men.” The Ray-Ban Visionary Award, established in 2003 in association with The Creative Coalition, honors the work and dedication of an individual who possesses extraordinary passion, creativity and leadership, and whose work showcases vision, imagination and originality. Previous award winners include Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon.
— Jackie Micucci