Travolta wins supporting actor prize

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Hollywood Film Festival have named John Travolta the recipient of its Hollywood Supporting Actor of the Year Award.

Presented by Starz, the festival is slated to run Oct. 17 through Oct. 22 at ArcLight Theatres in Hollywood.

Capping the film series will be an awards gala on Oct. 22 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Travolta was chosen for his remarkable portrayal of doting mom Edna Turnblad in Adam Shankman's, "Hairspray."

The movie was Travolta's first big-screen musical since 1978’s "Grease."

Other honorees include actor Richard Gere for "The Hoax;" supporting actress Jennifer Connelly for "Reservation Road;" breakthrough director Ben Affleck for "Gone Baby Gone;" producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan for "The Bucket List" and "Hairspray;" screenwriter Christopher Hampton for "Atonement;" breakthrough actor Casey Affleck for "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford;" breakthrough actress Marion Cotillard for "La Vie en Rose;" director Brad Bird for "Ratatouille" and the ensemble cast of "Hairspray."