Today, Cinema/Chicago, the presenter of the Chicago International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running competitive film festival, announced additional honorees set to attend the biennial Cinema Soirée on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at The Geraghty (2520 S. Hoyne Ave.). Actor Ben Foster (HELL OR HIGH WATER, starring in Independent Film Company’s MOTOR CITY) will receive the Tour de Force Award, and writer Gillian Flynn (GONE GIRL, WIDOWS) will be honored with the Artistic Achievement Award. These guests join previously announced filmmakers Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, who will be receiving the Vanguard Award, which recognizes artists whose work is shaping the future of independent cinema through innovation, creative excellence, and bold storytelling. The event will be hosted by NBC News TODAY’s Al Roker. The event supports Cinema/Chicago’s year-round artistic, educational, and industry programming.

The Tour de Force Award, recognizing decades of bold and bravura screen performances, will be presented to Ben Foster, an American actor and producer with more than 30 years of experience, known for his immersive performances and dedication to complex roles. 

Foster next stars in Pots Ponciroli’s MOTOR CITY, which opens in theaters nationwide on July 24. He will also appear in THE STUNT DRIVER, arriving in theaters this September. Foster can also be seen opposite Sydney Sweeney in David Michôd’s CHRISTY, and in John Swab’s KING IVORY. 

Foster received an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in 2022 for Barry Levinson’s THE SURVIVOR, which he also executive produced. He cemented his reputation as a powerhouse performer in Debra Granik’s LEAVE NO TRACE, one of the most acclaimed films of 2018. In 2017, he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male Actor for his role in the Oscar-nominated HELL OR HIGH WATER. 

Other film credits include THE PROGRAM, KILL YOUR DARLINGS, LONE SURVIVOR, AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS, RAMPART, THE MESSENGER, 3:10 TO YUMA, and LIBERTY HEIGHTS. 

Foster has also appeared on television, including HBO’s SIX FEET UNDER, and on stage, where he received rave reviews as Stanley Kowalski in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. 

The Artistic Achievement Award, recognizing artists whose work has made an indelible impact on cinema and storytelling, will be presented to author, screenwriter, and producer Gillian Flynn.

Flynn made her mark as a novelist unafraid to explore humanity’s shadows, and she brings that fearless storytelling into television and film. 

Best known for penning the twist-filled bestseller GONE GIRL and its acclaimed screenplay adaptation directed by David Fincher, as well as the haunting SHARP OBJECTS, later adapted as an HBO series starring Amy Adams, Flynn has become synonymous with modern psychological suspense and reinventing female protagonists. 

In film, she is currently writing a new thriller for director/producer Darren Aronofsky, and previously co-wrote WIDOWS with director Steve McQueen. 

In television, she is currently adapting DARK PLACES as a series, based on her iconic second novel. 

Now a multi-hyphenate screenwriter, producer, and author, she continues to expand her reach – launching a publishing imprint to champion bold voices and watching new adaptations of her work emerge – all while maintaining the edgy, intelligent tone that made her a cultural phenomenon. 

“For more than six decades, Cinema/Chicago has celebrated artists whose work expands our understanding of cinema and whose stories remain with us long after the credits roll,” said Mimi Plauché, Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation Artistic Director of Cinema/Chicago and the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival. “Ben Foster’s fearless performances and extraordinary range have made him one of the defining actors of contemporary cinema, while Gillian Flynn’s singular voice has transformed modern psychological storytelling, be it literature, film, or television. Alongside Chicago filmmakers Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, this year’s honorees reflect the remarkable creativity, artistry, and storytelling talent that our Festival has championed in Chicago and beyond.”

“Our Cinema Soirée is an unforgettable evening celebrating the transformative power of cinema and its ability to strengthen communities,” said Vivian Teng, Managing Director of Cinema/Chicago. “Every ticket purchased, every paddle raised, and every gift made during the evening helps sustain programs that nurture emerging filmmakers, bring free screenings to neighborhoods across Chicago, and connect audiences with stories from around the world. Together, these experiences spark curiosity, foster connection, and bring people together through the shared experience of cinema.”

The biennial Cinema/Chicago Soirée raises funds for year-round programming, including the Chicago International Film Festival, celebrating its 62nd edition October 14 – 25, 2026; Summer Screenings, presenting global cinema to Chicago audiences with 19 free screenings presented Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer; CineYouth, which showcases the work of filmmakers age 22 and younger; the Chicago Industry Exchange Lab (CIX), a year-long feature film development program; Industry Days, the Festival’s annual conference for filmmakers and industry professionals; Community Cinema, which presents free screenings in neighborhoods throughout Chicago; and other educational and public programs that connect audiences with filmmakers from around the world. 

For more information, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.