Geoffrey Rush was honored with the Grand Honorary Award at the Sitges Film Festival on October 11, 2024. In a heartfelt speech delivered in Catalan, Rush expressed his gratitude, stating, "The honor is overwhelming, and I feel very welcomed here." The award was presented before the screening of his latest film, The Rule of Jenny Pen, directed by James Aschcroft, which features Rush alongside John Lithgow.
During his speech, Rush reminisced about his brief visit to Spain, where he spent only twelve hours in Madrid, and highlighted the significance of being in a theater filled with 1,400 people for the film's screening. He also noted the special connection to the country, referencing the legendary performance by Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury.
Rush, an acclaimed actor known for his Oscar-winning role in Shine and as Captain Hector Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, has made significant contributions to cinema. His latest project, The Rule of Jenny Pen, is a gripping thriller that explores the psychological battle between his character and Lithgow's, set in a mental asylum.