DGA Award to Be Given to Ebert

Roger Ebert is going to receive the Directors Guild of America's (DGA) Honorary Life Member Award.

The DGA awards will be held on January 31 at the Century Plaza.

According to Variety, "The DGA presents the award periodically for creative achievement, contribution to the guild or the profession of directing."

DGA President Michael Apted extolled Ebert's contributions as he said, "From the blockbuster to the tiny independent film, Roger Ebert has devoted his career to sharing his love of films with generations of moviegoers."

Ebert's other accolades include winning a Pulitzer Prize and having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition, his reviews are syndicated to more than 200 newspapers and have been feted by the American Society of Cinematographers. Ebert has also written 17 books and has received honorary doctorates from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Colorado and the American Film Institute.

Other awards will be given to VP/director William M. Brady, who will receive the Robert B. Aldrich award for service to the DGA and its membership. DGA board member/unit production manager Kim Kurumada will receive the Frank Capra award, given to an assistant director or unit production manager. Finally, DGA assistant secretary /treasurer/associate director Scott Berger will receive the Franklin J. Schaffner award for an associate director or stage manager.