Reese Witherspoon to receive Palm Springs Film Festival award

Los Angeles: Actress Reese Witherspoon is to receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) Chairman's Award.

The 38-yea-old actress is being recognised for her role as Cheryl Strayed in 'Wild' - an adaptation of Strayed's memoir about hiking 1,100 miles up the Pacific Crest Trail following the death of her mother, reported Ace Showbiz.

PSIFF chairman Harold Matzner said: "Witherspoon delivers one of her finest performances in Wild. She brilliantly brings to life the true story of Cheryl Strayed, adding yet another iconic performance to her impressive 20-year span of characters."

Previous winners of the award include Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman. It was recently announced Witherspoon will be joining Kidman in a TV adaptation of 'Big Little Lies'.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will be held between January 2-12, 2015.