Los Angeles, Oct 15 (IANS): British actor of Indian descent Dev Patel will be honoured at Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his role in "Lion".

"Lion" is based on a true story of a five-year-old Indian boy who falls asleep on a train to end up lost, before being adopted by an Australian couple, played by Nicole Kidman and fellow Australian David Wenham.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has selected eight actors for its Virtuosos Award for breakthrough performances, including Ruth Negga for "Loving", Dev for "Lion" and Aaron Taylor Johnson for "Nocturnal Animals", reports variety.com.

Janelle Monáe will be honoured for "Hidden Figures" and "Moonlight" alongside her "Moonlight" costars Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris.

Simon Helberg was named for "Florence Foster Jenkins," and Stephen Henderson was tapped for "Fences".

The award presentation, to be moderated for the seventh year by Dave Karger, will take place on February 4 at the Arlington Theatre at the 32nd edition of the festival, which runs from February 1 to February 11.

Prior recipients for the award include Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Dano, David Oyelowo and Rooney Mara.