Gus Van Sant, US director of “Milk,” wins Stockholm film festival visionary award

US director Gus Van Sant wins Stockholm film award

STOCKHOLM — Organizers of the Stockholm film festival say director Gus Van Sant has been named the winner of this year’s visionary award, hailing him as one of modern cinema’s greatest American filmmakers.

Van Sant is expected to visit Stockholm in November to pick up the award — a 16-pound bronze horse.

Festival director Git Scheynius said Thursday that Van Sant’s depiction of an alternative America “is a celebration of film art,” adding that his films have been a part of the annual festival throughout its 20-year history. Van Sant’s films include “Good Will Hunting” and “Milk.”

The visionary award is one of the festival’s most prestigious prizes. Previous winners include Wong Kar Wai, Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam.