The San Francisco Film Society announced that George Lucas will be the recipient of the one-time-only Irving "Bud" Levin Award to be presented at the 50th San Francisco Int'l Film Festival, which runs from April 26 - May 10, 2007.
The Levin Award, named after the founder of the SFIFF, honors a man who has a deep appreciation for movies as an art form; a recognition of the important role that San Francisco plays in the world of art and cinema; a flair for innovation and entrepreneurship; a spirit of adventure and passion for community. The award will be presented to Lucas at Film Society Awards Night on Thursday, May 3, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel.
The Film Society's Education Program will be the beneficiary of the gala black-tie fundraiser honoring Lucas as well as the not-yet-announced recipients of the Film Society Directing Award, the Peter J. Owens Award for brilliance in acting and the Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. Nancy Livingston and Fred Levin (the founder's son) are the chairs of the Film Society Awards Night committee. Irma Levin, Bud's widow, is a member of the committee. Honorary chairs are Karen and John Diefenbach.
Graham Leggat, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society, announced Lucas's upcoming appearance at the SFIFF50 saying, "Independent and visionary, George Lucas has created characters, films and technologies that have gripped audiences and changed the face of filmmaking, distribution, and licensing. No one is more deserving of the Levin Award for his entrepreneurial acumen, love for the art of cinema and passion for community than George Lucas and we are honored that he has accepted this award."
For more information, visit www.sfiff.org/festival/index.html.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
