The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) has arrangeda tribute to Helen Mirren and will honour her with the Outstanding Performanceof the Year award for her role in The Queen.

'It is an honor to celebrate Dame Helen Mirren's performancein this role,' SBIFF executive director Roger Durling said. 'Shebeautifully captured the conflict this woman felt in a time of personal tragedyand public loss. The way she was able to balance power and vulnerability withthis portrayal was incredible.'

The award ceremony will take place on Jan 26 2007 and the festivalruns from Jan 25-Feb 4. For more details visit www.sbfilmfestival.org.