By News Channel 3
newsline3@kesq.com

PALM SPRINGS - Morgan Freeman will receive the Career Achievement Award for Acting at the Palm Springs International film Festival Awards Gala in January.

The award, according to Festival Chairman Harold Matzner, reflects Freeman's work in the upcoming film "Invictus," in which Freeman plays Nelson Mandela.   It was directed by Clint Eastwood, and co-stars Matt Damon.  Wide-release is scheduled for December 11.

Morgan Freeman won an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby, for which he also won a Screen Actors Guild Award and received a Golden Globe nomination. Freeman has been honored with three additional Oscar nominations - the first for his chilling performance as a homicidal pimp in the 1987 drama Street Smart, which also brought him L.A., New York and National Society of Film Critics Awards, and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as his first Golden Globe Award nomination. He earned his second Oscar nomination and won Golden Globe and National Board of Review Awards for Best Actor for 1989's Driving Miss Daisy, recreating his award-winning off-Broadway role. He gained his third Oscar nomination for his performance in Frank Darabont's 1994 drama The Shawshank Redemption, which also brought Freeman Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.