The reason why Skarsgård is turning down the award is because he wants to be in solidarity with the Hollywood actors’ strike, the festival announced, according to the newspaper.
“Stellan Skarsgård, recipient of the Leopard Club award, is relinquishing the award in solidarity with the strike. The prize ceremony on August 4 and the conversation with the audience on August 5 have been cancelled,” writes the Locarno Festival’s management in a press release.
Skarsgård had previously accepted the Leopard Club award for his lifetime achievement.
Other recipients of the award over the years have included Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow, Adrien Brody, Meg Ryan and Hilary Swank.
160,000 people in the Hollywood film industry went on strike in mid-July against poor working conditions.