Viola Davis was radiant in a colorful ensemble as she stepped onto the star-studded red carpet at the 34th Annual Palm Springs Film Festival alongside her husband of nearly 20 years, Julius Tennon, on Thursday. 

The Oscar-winning actress, 57, opted for one-of-a-kind gown with hues of blue and red before accepting the Chairman’s Award during the special ceremony that was held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. 

The talented star was supported by Tennon at the event, shortly after the couple opened up their lavish Los Angeles home for Architectural Digest’s latest issue.  

Radiant: Viola Davis, 57, made a show-stopping appearance as she attended the 34th Annual Palm Springs Film Festival alongside other stars earlier Thursday

Radiant: Viola Davis, 57, made a show-stopping appearance as she attended the 34th Annual Palm Springs Film Festival alongside other stars earlier Thursday 

The Help actress donned a vibrant, short-sleeved blue and red dress to attend the festival. 

The gown contained a V-neck cut, along with pockets on the sides, which Viola placed her hands into when posing for an assortment of stylish snaps on the red carpet. 

The Golden Globe winner added a pair of gold and turquoise, dangly earrings to coincide with the color scheme of her overall, glammed up look for the evening. 

The How To Get Away With Murder alum additionally slipped into a pair of chic, closed-toed black heels. 

Supportive: The Oscar winner's husband of nearly twenty years supported his wife by also  attending the star-studded festival

Supportive: The Oscar winner’s husband of nearly twenty years supported his wife by also  attending the star-studded festival 

A pop of color! The Help actress donned a colorful, short-sleeved blue and red dress to attend the festival

A pop of color! The Help actress donned a colorful, short-sleeved blue and red dress to attend the festival

Viola’s husband and fellow actor was dapper in a classic, navy plaid suit jacket along with dark gray dress pants. He opted for brown dress shoes and a brown and white-striped tie that was securely adjusted around the collar of his dress shirt. 

The two lovebirds cheerfully paused for a few memorable snaps together before making their way inside the venue before the festivities commenced. 

Not long after the ceremony began, Viola was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award due to her performance and work as actress and producer on the 2022 film, The Woman King. 

The premise of the critically acclaimed ‘historical epic’ is, ‘inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries,’ according to an IMDB synopsis. 

Presenter: Actress Cate Blanchett presented the Chairman's Award to Viola during the ceremony on Thursday

Presenter: Actress Cate Blanchett presented the Chairman’s Award to Viola during the ceremony on Thursday 

Emotional moment: The Golden Globe winner gave a heartfelt speech to the guests after stepping onto the stage

Emotional moment: The Golden Globe winner gave a heartfelt speech to the guests after stepping onto the stage 

Excited! The talented star was pictured with a joyful smile on her face as she stepped onto the stage to gratefully accept the Palm Springs Film Festival Award

Excited! The talented star was pictured with a joyful smile on her face as she stepped onto the stage to gratefully accept the Palm Springs Film Festival Award 

Recognition: Viola was given the award due to her work as both a lead actress and producer on the 2022 film titled, The Woman King

Recognition: Viola was given the award due to her work as both a lead actress and producer on the 2022 film titled, The Woman King 

Cate Blanchett presented the artfully constructed statuette to Viola, and the two actresses shared a quick embrace and light pecks on the cheeks.

According to The Desert Sun, a publication based in Palm Springs, the Fences star referenced to the 1994 classic, The Shawshank Redemption, when talking to the audience. 

‘Sometimes the journey for Black actors is having that little hammer and chisel chipping away at that block, which is an industry that says ‘you can’t lead a global box office…,’ she explained. 

Viola emotionally added, ‘We chiseled away and tried to swim through their p**s and s**t because the hammer and the chisel is all we’ve got.’ 

According to a press release, Festival Chairman Harold Matzner expressed, ‘Whether as an actress or producer, Viola Davis brings powerful stories to the screen.’ 

Honored: Festival Chairman Harold Matzner expressed in a press release, 'Whether as an actress or producer, Viola Davis brings powerful stories to the screen'

Honored: Festival Chairman Harold Matzner expressed in a press release, ‘Whether as an actress or producer, Viola Davis brings powerful stories to the screen’

Special night: The talented actresses additionally posed for an assortment of memorable photos together throughout the night

Special night: The talented actresses additionally posed for an assortment of memorable photos together throughout the night 

‘In The Woman King, Davis continues to prove that she is a force of nature in this groundbreaking performance about the leader of the Agojie, a unit of all-female warriors,’ he continued, adding that presenting the award to the actress was an ‘honor.’ 

Not long before the festival took place, Viola and long-time partner, Julius, who also made an appearance as Moru in The Woman King, opened their doors to welcome Architectural Digest into their bright and stunningly decorated LA home. 

The lovebirds have resided in the house for a total of five years along with their daughter, Genesis, 12. 

While talking to the publication, the star revealed that both she and her husband, ‘were working in South Africa, shooting The Woman King, while the renovation was unfolding, and we were inspired by the incredible color and culture there. I always want to go big and bold, but not too bold, not garish.’ 

Thankful: According to The Desert Sun the Fences star referenced to the 1994 classic, The Shawshank Redemption, during her acceptance speech

Thankful: According to The Desert Sun the Fences star referenced to the 1994 classic, The Shawshank Redemption, during her acceptance speech 

Incredible performance: Viola was the recipient of the award because, 'In The Woman King, Davis continues to prove that she is a force of nature in this groundbreaking performance about the leader of the Agojie, a unit of all-female warriors,' the festival chairman added

Incredible performance: Viola was the recipient of the award because, ‘In The Woman King, Davis continues to prove that she is a force of nature in this groundbreaking performance about the leader of the Agojie, a unit of all-female warriors,’ the festival chairman added 



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