The star of Albert Nobbs and current awards season contender will collect the honour at the festival’s awards gala on Jan 7.

“Glenn Close has the gift of mesmerising an audience whenever she performs,” festival chairman Harold Matzner said. “Since her film debut in 1982, Close’s ability to capture the essence of a character is unparalleled, be it a femme fatale, a notorious stalker or the trusted aide to a president.

“In Albert Nobbs, her upcoming film, Close portrays a woman whose plan for survival in 19th century Ireland is to pass as a man, only to find herself trapped by the reality she’s created. Here she revives a previous stage role and brings it to gritty life in yet another bravura performance.”

Past recipients of the Career Achievement Award include Cate Blanchett, Robert Duvall, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Samuel L Jackson and Helen Mirren.

Close made her feature film debut in George Roy Hill’s The World According To Garp, earning the first of five Oscar nominations. The others came from Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, The Natural and The Big Chill.

Her credits include Jagged Edge, Reversal Of Fortune, Cookie’s Fortune, Franco Zeffirelli’s Hamlet, Le Divorce and Evening. Close plays the lead in the hit television legal drama Damages. Roadside Attractions will release Albert Nobbs in December.

The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will run from Jan 5-16.