Actor Jamie Foxx will get the spotlight award at the Palm Springs Film Festival in January 2020 for his role in Just Mercy. Just Mercy tells the true story of a lawyer attempting to free a man wrongfully convicted of the murder of an 18-year-old girl. "In Just Mercy, Jamie Foxx gives a moving and truly remarkable performance as Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death for murder, for which he was wrongly convicted," festival chairman Harold Matzner said, reports variety.com. Kate Beckinsale Rubbishes Dating Rumours With Jamie Foxx After Being Spotted Together at a Party in LA.

"This is an inspiring drama that brings an important story about how our justice system can fail to the big screen. It is a story that audiences should see. It is our honour to present the spotlight award, actor to Jamie Foxx." Foxx, a Grammy and Academy Award winner, began his career as a stand-up comedian. Later he joined the cast of "In Living Color" and then starred in his own comedy, The Jamie Foxx Show. Just Mercy Trailer: Michael B Jordan and Brie Larson Fight For Jamie Foxx’s Justice in This Intense Legal Drama (Watch Video)

Foxx joins this year's previously announced honourees: Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory), Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers), Zack Gottsagen (The Peanut Butter Falcon), Joaquin Phoenix (Joker), Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), Charlize Theron (Bombshell) and Renee Zellweger (Judy). Past recipients of the spotlight award include Bryan Cranston, Andrew Garfield, Sam Rockwell and J.K. Simmons. The festival will be held from January 2-13.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 27, 2019 12:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).