The Motion Picture Association will honor Francis Lawrence with its 2026 MPA Creator Award.
Lawrence is best known for directing five films in the “Hunger Games” franchise, as well as “The Long Walk,” an adaptation of a Stephen King novel that was a hit when it opened last fall. His credits also include “I Am Legend,” “Water for Elephants,” “Red Sparrow” and “Constantine.” Lawrence’s next film is “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” which opens in theaters on Nov. 20.
The 2026 MPA Awards will also recognize U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers (R) with 2026 MPA Industry Champion Awards for their “policy efforts to promote and protect the creative community.” The 2026 MPA Creative Protector Award will be presented to the Egyptian Ministry of Interior for their partnership with the MPA on theshutdown of the piracy network, Streameast.
Last month, the MPA presented filmmaker Steven Spielberg with the MPA America250 Award, a one-time honor recognizing his impact on American storytelling at CinemaCon.
“Our industry is strongest when stories catch fire, policies spur growth, and creators and audiences can make, produce, and watch content free from piracy — and all of our honorees play a starring role in bringing that message to life,” said Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA. “The MPA Awards showcase the leadership and contributions of brilliant artists, determined lawmakers, and key law enforcement partners who understand the impact of our creative community on and off screen. I can’t wait to congratulate these leaders in person on their stunning achievements.”
The MPA said it is recognizing Lawrence for “his ability to blend raw emotion with surreal action on-screen.” It also credits him with making films that combine “polished craftsmanship with a strong sense of character and scale.”
“It’s truly a privilege to build worlds that visually inspire and emotionally resonate with audiences around the world,” Lawrence said in a statement. “Every time I step on set, I’m joined by remarkable casts and crews who allow my early concepts to become lasting impressions. I am deeply grateful to the MPA for this award and their work to support voices industry-wide.”
Sen. Warnock is receiving a 2026 MPA Industry Champion Award for his efforts to boost U.S. film and TV production. The senator has championed legislation, like the CREATE Act, designed to stimulate more film production in the U.S.
“I’m incredibly honored and deeply grateful to the MPA for this award,” Warnock said in a statement. “Georgia is the Hollywood of the South and has become a national leader in the arts and entertainment industry through our commitment to investments in domestic production. That’s why so many film and TV productions call Georgia home. Georgia’s film industry not only fuels job creation but has helped set the bar high for storytelling. I am proud to champion the bipartisan CREATE Act to support domestic entertainment productions in Georgia and across the country, and to ensure good-paying jobs and opportunities are available for our nation’s creative workforce.”
Sen. Stivers is receiving a 2026 MPA Industry Champion Award in recognition of his impact on Kentucky’s entertainment sector. His leadership in the General Assembly has included an effort to attract larger-scale productions to his state, including his recently enacted legislation to overhaul Kentucky’s film incentive program.
“It’s an honor to receive a 2026 MPA Industry Champion Award,” Stivers said. “During my tenure as Senate President, our creative economy has made immense strides and put Kentucky on the map as a destination for production. We are eager to keep building a welcoming ecosystem for filmmakers whose projects benefit our talented crews, small business owners, and overall economic development.”
The Ministry of Interior of the Arab Republic of Egypt is receiving the 2026 MPA Creative Protector Award, which honors an individual or organization whose work has been critical in the global fight to combat digital piracy. The Ministry’s partnership with the MPA’s anti-piracy coalition, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), led to the takedown last year of Streameast, live-sports piracy ring. Working with global partners and law enforcement authorities, ACE places a leading role in identifying and disrupting live sports piracy networks.
“I am proud to accept this MPA Award, which recognizes the great appreciation for all authorities in charge of fighting digital piracy,” said Brigadier General Hany Saleh. “Digital piracy is often a profit-driven criminal enterprise that consumers, rights holders, distributors, and broadcasters rely on. The threat is particularly acute for live content, where illegal streams erode the value of rights in real time. Our collaboration with the MPA and ACE to dismantle Streameast shows that even the most sophisticated piracy networks can be identified and shut down through coordinated enforcement. It also represents a model for international cooperation at both the bilateral and multinational levels in the protection of intellectual property rights.”
All 2026 honorees will attend the MPA Awards Ceremony later this year at the MPA’s headquarters in Washington.
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