by Eric Beteille
AFI FEST Daily News

Penelope Cruz, Tribute guest of AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi, in VOLVER.

Penélope Cruz is the recipient of this year's Tribute from AFI FEST presented by Audi. Pedro Almodóvar's highly acclaimed film VOLVER - starring Cruz - premieres immediately following the Tribute as part of the AFI FEST Centerpiece Gala series.

The Tribute and screening take place at ArcLight Hollywood's Cinerama Dome on Thursday, November 2, 7:00 PM.

The Tribute is a celebration of Cruz's career, with lively onstage conversation, film clips, and a few surprises and visits from special friends. It is made possible through a collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center.

"Penélope Cruz is an actress whose dynamic spirit truly shines through every character she creates," said AFI FEST Director of Programming Nancy Collet.

"Our challenge in choosing an artist each year is to find someone with a compelling body of work about whom we crave to know more. There is no doubt that Penélope fits this criteria."

First introduced to American audiences as a 17-year-old ingenue in Bigas Luna's international hit JAMON JAMON, Cruz has evolved into one of Europe's most glamorous and intriguing actors.

Cruz landed roles of startling depth in films like BELLE EPOQUE (1992) and TODO ES MENTIRA (1994), and in Alejandro Amenabar's hypnotizing ABRE LOS OJOS (OPEN YOUR EYES).

(She reprised the role in Cameron Crowe's 2001 VANILLA SKY.)

In 1999 Cruz won the Spanish Goya Award for Best Actress for her comic role in Fernando Trueba's THE GIRL OF YOUR DREAMS.

Confirming her status as Spain's hottest international actress, Cruz landed the coveted role opposite Matt Damon in the film adaptation of ALL THE PRETTY HORSES (2000), directed by Billy Bob Thornton.

Next, she portrayed Isabella in Fina Torres' WOMAN ON TOP (2000), a whimsical tale of a gifted gourmand who journeys across the world in search of success, but ultimately finds herself.

No stranger to Hollywood, Cruz has starred opposite Johnny Depp in Ted Demme's BLOW (2001) and opposite Christian Bale and Nicolas Cage in John Maddin's CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN (2001), and more recently in GOTHIKA (2003) with Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jr. and HEAD IN THE CLOUDS (2004) with Charlize Theron.

But it is in her work with acclaimed Spanish iconoclast Pedro Almodovar - AFI FEST 2004 Tribute recipient, a filmmaker who creates some of the best roles for women - where Cruz truly shines.

First, in a brief appearance as Isabel in LIVE FLESH (1997). Then, as a wayward nun impregnated by a junkie in ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER (1999)

And, in perhaps her most fully-formed and mature role, as hard-working mother-with-a-secret Raimunda in Almodóvar's most recent film, the acclaimed VOLVER (2006), screening as part of the AFI FEST 2006 Tribute.

VOLVER, recently announced as Spain's official selection to the 79th Oscar Best Foreign Film category, is a Sony Pictures Classic release starring Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo and Yohana Cobo.

Set in Spain, VOLVER is a dramatic comedy that explores the generational story of three women - a good mother (Maura) who is desperately in love with a man who is far from being a saint, a young mother (Cruz) carrying a hard life upon her shoulders and an illegal hairdresser (Duenas) whose shop is the meeting point for all the neighborhood gossips.

On November 2, remaining tickets to the Tribute and VOLVER screening will be sold via rush line on a first come, first serve, space available basis. Rush lines form approximately two hours before the posted screening time of 7:00 PM. Rush ticket sales are cash only do not include post-screening reception admission.

A Tribute to Penélope Cruz
and screening of VOLVER
With Support from Skirball Cultural Center

Thursday, November 2, 7:00 PM
Cinerama Dome
6360 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles