The Coolidge Award is a celebration honoring a film artist whose body of work is recognized as consistently original and challenging.

On Monday, July 10, 2023, the Coolidge presented legendary actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian Liv Ullmann with the Coolidge Award, recognizing her film artistry and inspiring, decades-long career. “At the Coolidge, we treasure our times with Liv and are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to welcome her back. She is the preeminent representative of the power of film to change us as individuals and collectively, and she changes the world with her humility and kindness,” remarked Coolidge Corner Theatre Executive Director & CEO Katherine Tallman.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, the Coolidge presented legendary, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter with the Coolidge Award, recognizing her work shaping the story of the Black experience on screen.
On Thursday, April 26, 2019, the Coolidge honored Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy award winning actress Julianne Moore with the Coolidge Award, recognizing her iconic performances and distinctive contributions to cinema. Moore was present for a 2pm screening of Gloria Bell, followed by an 8pm onstage conversation (moderated by The Boston Globe's Loren King) and presentation of the Coolidge Award.
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, the Coolidge honored actor and producer Michael Douglas for his achievements throughout his 50-year screen career. From Gordon Gekko to Grady Tripp, he has created some of the most indelible characters to grace the silver screen.
On February 8, 2018 the Coolidge honored internationally acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog with the eleventh Coolidge Award. Herzog is widely known for his prolific and daring body of cinematic work, including both narrative and documentary masterpieces.
On January 31, 2016, the Coolidge Corner Theatre honored Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winning actress Jane Fonda with the tenth Coolidge Award, recognizing her indelible impact on film and American culture.
On Monday, March 5, 2012, the Coolidge Corner Theatre honored internationally acclaimed actor Viggo Mortensen as the recipient of the ninth Coolidge Award.
With the eighth prestigious Coolidge Award, we branched out from our own Award history to make a bold statement about the need to protect history, by focusing on the efforts being made in film preservation.
Our seventh Coolidge Award program, honoring acclaimed director Jonathan Demme, offered something for everyone — everyone who loves compelling movies, amazing music, and insightful entertainment.
The sixth Coolidge Award honored the Quay Brothers, masters of exquisitely subjective puppet animation films, whose work has been consistently challenging and original.
Our fifth Coolidge Award recipient was veteran British film producer Jeremy Thomas, whose creativity, intelligence, and business acumen embodies the Coolidge spirit.
Our fourth Coolidge Award honored film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who has worked extensively with director Martin Scorsese and won three Oscars for Raging Bull (1980), The Aviator (2004), and The Departed (2006).
The third Coolidge Award honored the work of super-luminary and all-around great human being, Meryl Streep, with two days of event including a panel on the creative processes behind the film Adaptation and a special sneak preview of A Prairie Home Companion, introduced by director Robert Altman.
Celebrating the art of Cinematography in 2005, the second Coolidge Award honored Vittorio Storaro, whose career has impacted the way we see films, and has enriched our experience immeasurably.
Our first Coolidge Award was original and challenging in itself! Bestowing the Award on one of the world's most cinematic directors meant getting him from Beijing to Brookline and creating two days of events appropriate to a non-English speaking filmmaker of international renown.