The 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present David Oyelowo with the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor for his critically acclaimed performance as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s "Selma" at its annual Awards Gala.

The civil rights drama will also open the 26th Palm Springs International Film Festival, which is set for January 2-12, organizers announced Today.

Worth noting, Amma Asante’s "Belle" opened the festival last year. And Lupita Nyong’o also previously received the Breakthrough Performance Award, and we know how things would eventually work out for her at the Oscars.

"We are thrilled to launch this year’s festival with Selma, Ava DuVernay’s deeply moving civil rights drama, featuring an Oscar-worthy performance by David Oyelowo in the role of Dr. Martin Luther King” said Helen du Toit, Artistic Director. “The timing could hardly be better with the upcoming 50-year anniversary of the historical voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. On a personal note, it is heartening that for the second consecutive year our Opening Night film is directed by a black woman. That, surely, is a sign of progress and a reason for hope.”

"Selma" opens December 25, 2014.