Ben Kingsley, the Oscar winning British actor of "Gandhi", is to receive the Maverick Spirit Award at this year's Cinequest Film Festival, said The Guardian.

Kingsley, who received a best actor Oscar nomination last year for "House of Sand and Fog", has appeared in critically acclaimed films such as "Sexy Beast" and "Schindler's List".

Kingsley began his acting career on the British soap opera "Coronation Street" in 1966. Other recipients of the Maverick Spirit awards include filmmaker Gus Van Sant ("My Own Private Idaho"), "Lord of the Rings" actor Ian McKellen, Val Kilmer ("The Doors") and Kevin Spacey ("L.A. Confidential").

The festival is held from March 2 to 13 in San Jose, California.