Oscar Winner Kevin Spacey receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the Septimius Awards 2025

On the evening of September 4, 2025, the gilded halls of the Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski in Amsterdam—widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world—served as the backdrop for a significant moment in contemporary film history. Kevin Spacey, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor, stood before an international audience to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Septimius Awards.

The event was more than a mere trophy presentation; it was a focal point of the two-day festival that champions diversity, inclusion, and the global impact of storytelling. For Spacey, the honor represented a culmination of a career defined by transformative performances and a slow, deliberate return to the industry’s spotlight.

A Night of Reflection and Redemption

The Septimius Awards, known for their rigorous selection of international talent, chose to honor Spacey for his "transformative contributions to Hollywood" and his decades-long dedication to the craft of acting. Dressed in a classic suit, Spacey accepted the award following a series of panel discussions held the previous day, where he sat alongside figures like actor Jonathan Majors and activist Stedman Graham to discuss the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.

In a poignant acceptance speech that quickly circulated on social media, Spacey focused on the theme of "second chances." He dedicated the accolade to his long-time friend and fellow actor Val Kilmer. Recalling the darkest periods of his recent years, Spacey noted that while many distanced themselves from him during his legal battles, Kilmer remained a steadfast source of support. "I will never forget him for that," Spacey told the audience, emphasizing that the spirit of cinema has always been rooted in the capacity for human redemption.

The Architect of Modern Performance

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a body of work that helped reshape American cinema in the 1990s and 2000s. Spacey’s rise to prominence was characterized by his ability to play "the everyman with a secret." His breakthrough came in 1995 with Bryan Singer’s The Usual Suspects, where his portrayal of Roger "Verbal" Kint earned him his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film’s final twist remains one of the most iconic moments in movie history, largely due to Spacey’s nuanced, chameleon-like performance.

He followed this success with a string of masterpieces:

Se7en (1995): As the chilling John Doe, Spacey redefined the cinematic villain, utilizing a calm, intellectual terrifyingness rather than outward histrionics.

L.A. Confidential (1997): Playing the celebrity-obsessed Detective Jack Vincennes, he showcased his range, moving from slick opportunism to tragic moral awakening.

American Beauty (1999): His portrayal of Lester Burnham, a man undergoing a suburban mid-life crisis, earned him his second Academy Award, this time for Best Actor. The performance was hailed for its mixture of dry wit, melancholy, and liberation.

Beyond the Silver Screen

While the Septimius Awards celebrated his filmic achievements, the ceremony also acknowledged Spacey’s profound impact on the theater. Between 2004 and 2015, Spacey served as the Artistic Director of the Old Vic in London. His tenure is credited with saving the historic institution from financial ruin and artistic irrelevance. By bringing Hollywood star power to the London stage and fostering young talent, Spacey revitalized the West End, eventually receiving an honorary knighthood (CBE) for his services to drama.

In the 2010s, Spacey pivoted to the burgeoning world of streaming, starring as Frank Underwood in Netflix’s House of Cards. His performance as the ruthless, fourth-wall-breaking politician earned him a Golden Globe and multiple SAG Awards, effectively proving that high-caliber film stars could thrive—and even dominate—the "Golden Age of Television."

A Global Celebration in Amsterdam

The choice of the Tuschinski Theater was symbolic. As a venue that survived the darkness of the mid-20th century to remain a beacon of Art Deco beauty, it provided a fitting atmosphere for an evening dedicated to "Legacy and Diversity." Spacey shared the evening’s honors with other legends, including Iranian-American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo and the late music producer Irv Gotti.

The 2025 Septimius Awards solidified Amsterdam’s growing reputation as a hub for international film prestige. For Kevin Spacey, the Lifetime Achievement Award was not just a look back at the roles that defined a generation, but an acknowledgment of a talent that, despite years of controversy and legal exoneration, continues to command the attention of the global cinematic community.