Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543571
40 I 73 R D A N N UA L M PS E GO L D E N R E E L AWA R DS HONORARY FILMMAKER AWARD Kathleen Kennedy otion Picture Sound Editors, the premier organization of entertainment sound editing professionals since 1953, are honored to present renowned filmmaker Kathleen Kennedy with the 2026 MPSE Filmmaker Award, bestowed annually to a filmmaker of distinction. The Award will be presented during MPSE's 73rd Annual Golden Reel Awards gala. The MPSE Filmmaker Award is bestowed upon an individual outside the sound community whose career has demonstrated a great appreciation and understanding of the impact of sound editing. "The Motion Picture Sound Editors are thrilled to honor Kathleen Kennedy with this year's 2026 Filmmaker Award," stated MPSE President David Barber. "Her pioneering work has inspired, supported, and influenced countless filmmakers worldwide. Kathleen's legacy defies generational constraints. Through the stories she has brought to the screen, her impact on art and culture will endure—entertaining, educating, and moving future generations." A recipient of the Academy's prestigious 2018 Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award and an eight-time Academy Award ® -nominee, Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most successful and respected producers in the film industry today. As president of Lucasfilm, she oversaw the company's three divisions: Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. Kennedy was the producer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the highest-grossing domestic feature of all time, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the number one-grossing movie in 2016. She went on to produce Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), the highest-grossing movie worldwide in 2017, as well as Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Kennedy executive produced a number of live-action Star Wars series, including the Emmy Award ® -winning The Mandalorian and Andor. Kennedy is currently producer on the upcoming Ahsoka Season 2, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Star Wars: Starfighter. M COURTESY MARY MCCARTNEY