Academy award–winning actor, women’s rights activist, and entrepreneur Patricia Arquette will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Arquette is the final honoree to be announced ahead of the 2023 TIFF Tribute Awards, taking place on Sunday, September 10 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, presented by Bulgari, recognizes a woman who is a leader in the film industry and has made a positive impact on women throughout their career. The award is inspired by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative, created to address gender parity in the film industry, to champion women at every stage of their creative journey, and to shine a spotlight on women creators making a significant difference in the industry. Academy award–winning actor Michelle Yeoh was honoured at last year’s Awards.

“We take great pride in recognizing Patricia Arquette’s remarkable contributions both in front of and behind the camera, as exemplified by the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award and the premiere of her directorial debut, Gonzo Girl, at the Festival,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Being one of Hollywood’s most audacious talents, Patricia consistently challenges conventions and elevates the discourse on salary equity for women through her influential platform.”

Her career has spanned genres and decades in film and television, from her breakout role in Tony Scott’s True Romance, to her memorable performances in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, David Lynch’s Lost Highway, and Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. Arquette returns to the Festival with her directorial debut Gonzo Girl, starring Willem Dafoe and Camila Morrone, based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel chronicling her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.