With the Academy Awards® approaching, “Sing Sing”’ has emerged as a major contender, boasting a stellar 97% Rotten Tomatoes score from both critics and audiences. The film recently earned three Oscar® nominations for Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Colman Domingo, further solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most compelling performers.
Stepping into the momentum of the 2025 award-season, Domingo was recently honored with the Montecito Award at the 40th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) which was held at the historic Arlington Theatre.
The evening was a tribute to Domingo’s artistry, career-defining roles, and unwavering dedication to meaningful storytelling. Oprah Winfrey presented the award, praising Domingo’s ability to bring depth and humanity to every character he portrays.
Domingo’s career is built on perseverance and mastery. Reflecting on his journey, Domingo spoke candidly about the resilience that has defined his career. “I just kept going and believed that the love I was seeking would also be seeking me. I just always believed that.”
His iron grip determination has led him to amass an extraordinary list of achievements, including multiple Academy Award® nominations, a BAFTA® nomination, a Tony® nomination, Critics Choice® nominations, Independent Spirit Award® nominations, and multiple prestigious wins at the Emmys®, NAACP Image Awards®, and AAFCA® Awards. With a career spanning theater, television, and film, Domingo has cemented his place as one of the most versatile and powerful performers of his generation.
SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling described Domingo as “one of the most extraordinary talents in the small screen, in theatre, and in film, and he makes it all seem effortless. His work in ‘Sing Sing’ is unforgettable.”
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The prolific actor has left a handful of iconic performances across film and television. His presence in those medium is a testament to his ability to transform into characters who challenge, inspire, and reveal complex human truths. In Selma, he immersed himself in the history of the Civil Rights movement. “The most beautiful thing about that film, when you get to have an audience with these Civil Rights leaders, we were able to meet with a lot of people who did this work. You get to know them, how they were outside of the history book.”
In “If Beale Street Could Talk,” he worked closely with director Barry Jenkins to craft a character deeply embedded in family strength. “Barry and I talked about how Joseph Rivers is such a feminist and lives in a house full of strong women. And he loves that he is in this hustle with strong women in the 1970s. And it doesn’t make him less of a man at all.”
Domingo’s television work has been equally lauded, including his Emmy®-winning portrayal of Ali in Euphoria. “Ali is the moral compass of Rue. But he has a complicated history. I like the idea that he is not there to judge her. He is just there to present her with options and opportunities.”
On Fear the Walking Dead, he brought depth to Victor Strand, a character whose motivations were constantly in question. “Victor had a complicated moral compass. It is a show about survival. I loved that there were questions about him. And I wanted to lean into these questions.”
He pushes the boundaries in his work. In the film “Rustin,” Domingo took on the challenge of portraying Civil Rights icon Bayard Rustin, a role that required immense historical and emotional depth. “It felt like we were in alignment. That Rustin’s journey and my journey were meeting at the exact moment, and I was the actor to help pull this Black, queer, Civil Rights revolutionary out of the shadows of history, while I was being pulled into new history.”
His portrayal of Mister in “The Color Purple” challenged expectations. “It’s easy to think of Mister as a villain and as an abuser,” Domingo reflected. “But what is complicated is finding the heart of an abuser. Why hurt people hurt other people.”
In Zola, he embodied the volatile and manipulative X, balancing charm and menace. “He was using language to control a room. So for me, it was all elements of control. I played the character with a lot of charm and finesse, and it could turn on a dime.”
Now to the power of A24’s thrice Oscar nominated “Sing Sing” in which Domingo’s performance has been widely celebrated. He portrayed Divine G, a character whose story is one of quiet resilience and humanity. “It’s a quiet act of revolution. I have such loving relationships with the men in my life. We are holding each other and touching each other. And I want more of that.”
His commitment to meaningful storytelling was evident as he spoke about the impact of the film. “It’s about putting myself on the line in every single way as an artist. If I’m going to have an impact, if I’m going to do this work that I think is meaningful and can really change lives… I think a film like Sing Sing is really changing lives. It’s actually doing work. So I have to give everything.”
With the Montecito Award®, Domingo joins an elite list of past recipients, including Angela Bassett, Penélope Cruz, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Oprah Winfrey. The honor recognizes artists whose careers have left an indelible mark on cinema, and Domingo’s presence in this esteemed group is well deserved.
As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival® continues its mission of celebrating cinematic excellence, Domingo’s journey stands as a beacon of artistry, resilience, and transformative storytelling. His work continues to shape the industry, proving that powerful performances are not just about entertainment—they are about impact, representation, and truth.
