✿ Virginia Madsen celebrates her 50th birthday today and we at her official website would like to wish her a very Happy Birthday!! Please stop by and leave your birthday wishes by commenting here or write them at her official facebook page!

New upcoming project for Virginia Madsen has been confirmed! She has joined the cast of Smokewood Entertainment’s  “Long Time Gone”. Virginia will star in Sarah Siegel-Magness’ drama film, joining the already announced cast of Amanda Crew, Aly Michalka, Madeline Zima and Zach Gilford.

✿ “Precious” producer Sarah Siegel-Magness makes her directorial debut with the pic, which stars Virginia Madsen as Augusta,  a woman who suffers a nervous breakdown after her cheating husband leaves her. Zach Gilford and Graham Rogers co-star as her two sons who, along with the latter’s live-in girlfriend (Amanda Crew), attempt to comfort Ryan in her time of need.

Production will start filming this month in Los Angeles. Please check back for further information!

✿ The 17th Annual Temecula Film Fest will honor Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated actress Virginia Madsen at the fest’s Black Tie Gala. She  started her career in 1984 in David Lynch’s adaption of “Dune,” but had her break-through with the 1986 film “Fire with Fire.” Madsen is best known for her character Maya in 2004′ Sideways, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award, and won an Independent Spirit Award.

✿ Festival Director Jo Moulton said “Virginia Madsen has developed into one of this generation’s finest actresses. She brings unique versatility to each of her roles and she continues to raise the bar in both film and television. We are delighted to honor the 2011 Founder’s Outstanding Career Achievement Award to Virginia Madsen.”

✿Virginia Madsen will be honored with the Founder’s Outstanding Career Achievement Award on Sunday, September 18, at the annual Black-Tie Gala held at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. The festival runs from Sept. 14 – 18. For more information, click here.