Award ceremony to take place before screening of What We Do Is Secret.

With a potent combination of devastating good looks and chameleon-like character- actor chops, Shane West has the potential to be the next big Hollywood heartthrob, the next accolade showered thespian or both. Whichever way his career ascends, we’ll be among the first in line.

After discovering his love of acting as a drama student in high school, West only had to pay his dues in small roles for a few years before his hard work began to pay off in 1998. Under the direction of Tom Hulce and Jane Jones, he starred as Angel in the Los Angeles stage production of “The Cider House Rules.” The two-month extended run brought much acclaim and attention, but nothing compared to the break that followed.

Cast as the hunky teenage son of a divorcé, West stole scenes (and hearts) for three years in the critically acclaimed ABC series “Once and Again.” Movie producers took notice, casting him as the lead against James Franco in Whatever It Takes and, memorably, Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember. In this span he unsurprisingly became a favorite of the teen set, culminating in a Teen Choice Award nomination for “Once and Again” and a win for A Walk to Remember.

As his talents matured, so did his roles. West ably filled the shoes of a legend, Tom Sawyer, acting opposite a real-life legend, Sean Connery, in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He then entered the great modern proving ground of “E.R.” as the wild, free-spirited Dr. Ray Barnett. His poignant farewell last season is one of the most memorable in the show’s storied history.

Having conquered both box office and Nielsen success, West is entering the boldest phase of his career yet. What We Do Is Secret is based on the short, brilliant and tragic life of Darby Crash, lead singer of pioneering punk band The Germs. So fully absorbed in his role, he toured with the original Germs lineup and won over even the most skeptical fans with a fearlessness honed over a decade as a singer.

After a decade of making audiences swoon, squeal, weep and even mosh, Shane West leaves us delighted with his accomplishments and excited for what’s yet to come. The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to recognize this tremendous talent with the Rising Star award. — David Gorgos