Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1531556
59 SAG-AFTRA SPECIAL ISSUE 2025 / sagaf tra.org 3 1 S T A N N UA L S C R E E N AC T O R S G U I L D AWA R D S ® things that we have as human beings are two eyes looking into two eyes, and film is the only art form that allows us the closeup, and it substitutes for real life, two eyes looking into two eyes. "And I think we have to remember how powerful that is in a world that is consumed with different size screens; that the power that we have are two human eyes looking into two other eyes. That will give us empathy and understanding." And, of course, Tom Hanks at the first show, however many times we repeat it! All of these kinds of moments make the Screen Actors Guild Awards unpredictable and different from the other awards ceremonies. Jason George SAG Awards Committee Member The SAG Awards always have the best acceptance speeches. These speeches encapsulate the austerity of a career-defining achievement, then magnify that tenfold with the warmth and humor that comes from being in a room populated solely by your fellow dreamers. Award recipients aren't speaking to "the Business." At the SAG Awards, actors are speaking to family. When we lost Chadwick Boseman to cancer, we realized his speech on behalf of the Black Panther cast was more than beautiful words. It was a testament to his personal bravery and proof that Chadwick was a real-life superhero: "To be young, gifted and black, we all know what it's like to be told that there is not a place for you to be featured, yet you are young, gifted and black. We know what it's like to be told to say that there is not a screen for you to be featured on, a stage for you to be featured on. We know what it's like to be the tail and not the head. "We know what it's like to be beneath and not above. And that is what we went to work with every day, because we knew not that we would be around during award season or that it would make a billion dollars, but we knew we had something special that we wanted to give the world. That we could be full human beings in the roles that we were playing, we could create a world that exemplified a world that we wanted to see. We knew that we had something that we wanted to give. And to come to work every day and to solve problems with this group of people every day, with this director, that is something that I wish all actors would get the opportunity to experience. If you get to experience that, you will be a fulfilled artist." Woody Schultz SAG Awards Committee Member Acceptance speeches at the SAG Awards are particularly memorable and meaningful. They often reflect a heartfelt gratitude and rare vulnerability that resonates deeply with our viewers. When an actor takes to our stage to accept an award, it is because they were chosen by their peers. Their fellow actors, all of whom have experienced the successes and failures inherent to our industry, have said, "I see you. I know the countless hours of hard work you put into this character. I understand the doubts and fears that creep in throughout the process. I recognize the time and dedication you put in to become the artist you are and I honor you." That makes our show so unique and special to actors and amplifies the emotional weight of their speeches. To quote Toni Morrison, "All good art is political." As both artists and union members, our winners often use their time to address significant social issues, advocate for change or express solidarity with our peers and the world at large, making the SAG PHOTOS: GREGG DEGUIRE/GET T Y IMAGES; TERENCE PATRICK/GET T Y IMAGES