The 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 03

With a plethora of award events this time of year, the Screen Actors Guild has the distinction of hosting the only ceremony where performers are recognized and honored based solely on the voting selection of their peers. What is more, the Guild not only recognizes the individual achievements of actors in film and television but also acknowledges exceptional collaborative work with its unique ensemble awards. Since the event first aired in 1995, the SAG Awards have been watched by both industry insiders and the general public alike as a forerunner to upcoming Oscar and Emmy success.

While films like Mystic River, Lost in Translation and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King have all been doing well in the awards circuit thus far, look for lesser-known films like The Cooler and The Station Agent to possibly take home honors this time. Both Alec Baldwin and Maria Bello are nominated for their roles in The Cooler. The Station Agent, a fantastic film that has been completely shut out for award consideration from other ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, has nominations for Patricia Clarkson, Peter Dinklage and Outstanding Cast.

Quite possibly continuing the dominance it exhibited at the recent Golden Globes, the HBO television miniseries Angels in America has several actors up for honors this year. Among the nominees are Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Mary-Louise Parker, all of whom brought home a Globe just a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, the competition in the drama and comedy series looks to be fierce. While Everybody Loves Raymond and Will & Grace will be fighting it out for laughs, The West Wing and Six Feet Under both have a strong showing in the drama series categories.

Karl Malden will be this year's recipient for the Guild's 2003 Life Achievement Award. With a career spanning over six decades, Malden has entertained millions on stage, television and in film. His portrayal of Harold "Mitch" Mitchell in the stage version of A Streetcar Named Desire garnered him his first critical recognition. He later reprised the role on screen and went on to win the 1951 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In the years since, Malden has remained active in both film and television. Among other achievements, he was again nominated for an Oscar with his portrayal of Father Barry in 1954's On the Waterfront. Moreover, Malden has starred in numerous critically acclaimed shows and TV films such as Fatal Vision, The Streets of San Francisco with Michael Douglas, Skag and most recently The West Wing.

The 10^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be telecast on TNT on February 22 at 8p.m. ET/PT.

Anna Keizer is a writer and filmmaker living in Chicago.

Got a problem? Email us at filmmonthly@hotmail.com