HILARY SWANK

An emotional Swank struggled to maintain her composure when the film's director Richard LaGravenese presented her with the award at the Bel Air Hotel event in Bel Air, California.

Swank said, "It's a reminder that I was able to be a part of a movie that is so important. It's one of those stories where you learn how one person can make a difference in someone else's life."

In Freedom Writers, Swank plays a teacher who inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance and pursue education beyond high school.

Source: WENN