At the 10th Coronado Island Film Festival, Leonard Maltin honors Delroy Lindo and Beau Bridges.

      Leonard Maltin serves as the host and honorary jury president of the Coronado Island Film Festival, where he presents awards to Hollywood icons each year during the Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Awards Gala. However, this Wednesday, as the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary, the esteemed critic and film historian received an accolade of his own.

      Prior to acknowledging this year’s awardees—such as Beau Bridges, Delroy Lindo, and others—Maltin was honored with a Hubbell award, named after sculptor James Hubbell. This recognition strengthens the enduring connection between Hollywood and Coronado, a picturesque island located across the bay from San Diego.

      Coronado has served as the backdrop for classic films like Some Like It Hot and Top Gun, as festival sidewalk displays reminded attendees on Wednesday evening at the historic Hotel del Coronado, which is 137 years old. One sign read, “Marilyn Monroe was here,” while another noted, “Tony Curtis was here.”

      Each year, the Coronado Island Film Festival continues to grow, thanks in large part to Maltin's influence.

      Merridee Book, the festival's CEO and artistic director, acknowledged Maltin’s contributions, stating that he embodies “the passion and love of cinema” and has “dedicated his life to documenting, preserving, and sharing the history of film.”

      When he took the stage, Maltin remarked, “I’ll come for another 10 years if you’ll have me.”

      This year’s honorees were celebrated in the recently renovated Crown Room of the historic hotel, showcasing Maltin’s and the festival’s appreciation for the diverse facets of filmmaking.

      While Beau Bridges and Delroy Lindo were among the most famous honorees, others represented vital behind-the-scenes roles that contribute to film production: music editor Adam Smalley, stunt performer Heidi Moneymaker, screenwriter Austin Kolodney, and costume designer Deborah L. Scott.

      Lindo expressed gratitude for recognizing the valuable contributions of screenwriters, stunt coordinators, music editors, costume designers, and actors, emphasizing his personal experience benefiting from their work throughout his career.

      One memorable moment of the evening involved Maltin interviewing each honoree about their professional journeys. Below are some highlights from their discussions.

      Adam Smalley, Music Editor and Winner of the Coronado Island Film Festival’s Transcendent Award

      Adam Smalley boasts an impressive portfolio, having worked on notable projects such as The Lion King, Gladiator, The Morning Show, The Twilight Saga, Kung-Fu Panda, and Mission: Impossible II. His roles range from calming apprehensive composers to acting as a liaison between the musical team and the studio, to overseeing mixes and crafting temporary scores.

      Typically, the collaboration between composer and music editor begins after filming is completed, usually in the final months. However, Smalley recalled a unique experience when renowned director Terrence Malick requested his involvement early in the process for The Thin Red Line, released in 1998, two decades after Malick's last film, Days of Heaven.

      “He had sort of disappeared for about 20 years,” Smalley shared with Maltin. “And my phone rang, and it was Terrence Malick.”

      The director proposed that Smalley and his frequent collaborator, composer Hans Zimmer, create the score before filming began.

      “Terrence Malick wanted the score ready before he started shooting. So Hans and I produced and wrote about four hours of music that he used on set. And then I adapted those pieces into the soundtrack you hear now,” Smalley recounted.

      Heidi Moneymaker, Stunt Performer and Winner of the Coronado Island Film Festival’s Trailblazer Award

      Heidi Moneymaker’s impressive work includes doubling for Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow in several Avengers films, as well as for Drew Barrymore and Brie Larson, and contributing to franchises like Mission: Impossible, Fast & Furious, and Spider-Man.

      Her journey began with childhood antics.

      “To be honest, I became a gymnast because I was a young child doing stunts in my own home,” she admitted to Maltin. “I jumped off my top bunk so many times and hit my head that I think my parents were a little concerned.”

      Her success in gymnastics led her to become a UCLA gymnast and NCAA champion, ultimately leading her to stunt work. She has also progressed to stunt coordinating and second-unit directing.

      One of her standout experiences was collaborating with Steven Spielberg: “You want to give everything you have, because he’s doing the same,” she shared.

      Maltin inquired, “Have you ever declined a stunt?”

      Moneymaker reflected briefly before stating she hasn't turned down any well-prepared stunts. “I have a rule that if I’m afraid to do something, it’s typically because it’s either unsafe or improperly prepared,” she remarked.

      She humorously added, “One time I was asked to do a car