The lead actress Oscar winner for Cabaret will be honoured with the 2015 Jack Valenti – Los Angeles Italia Legend Award at the L.A. Italia Film Festival.

Liza Minnelli will receive the award at the closing night ceremony. Prior recipients include Al Pacino and Angelica Huston.

The honour, named after the flamboyant former MPAA president Jack Valenti, is presented to an outstanding Italian-American who has made substantial contributions to the global film industry.

“We are extremely honoured and delighted to be presenting this year’s Jack Valenti Legend Award to the talented and lovely Liza Minnelli,” said festival founder and producer Pascal Vicedomini and festival honourary chair Mark Canton.

“As in prior years our board aims to recognise highly talented Italian-Americans who have made an impact on the industry and without a doubt, Liza fits the bill.” 

The L.A. Italia film festival runs from February 15-21 in Hollywood and will feature a record 50 films including five world and 14 American premieres.

Opening night festivities include the world premiere of Marco Pontecorvo’s Partly Cloudy (With Sunny Spells) starring John Turturro and Luca Zingaretti and other world premieres include Hope Lost from David Petrucci and Massimo Ivan Falsetta’s Calibro 10.