Hilary Swank to receive Leopard Club Award at Locarno Film Fest

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank will be honoured with the Leopard Club Award at the 2019 Locarno International Film Festival. The award is given to a "great personality of the cinema who through her or his work has managed to mark the collective imagination".

In a statement, Lili Hinstin, the artistic director of the festival, described Swank as an actor whose "roles and life story are emblematic of female strength and tenacity, the freedom to choose and the faith in what one has chosen". The festival will also hold screenings of her films -- "Boys Don't Cry" (1999) and "Million Dollar Baby" (2004). The actor won Best Actress Academy Awards for her performance in the films.

Previous recipients of the Leopard Club Award include Meg Ryan, Adrien Brody, Stefania Sandrelli, Andy Garcia, Mia Farrow and Faye Dunaway. The 2019 Locarno International Film Festival will run from August 7 to 17.