Lumet Given Top Honour

Veteran Hollywood director Sidney Lumet is to receive a special Oscar at next year's ceremony.

Dec 17 2004

Sidney Lumet will receive an honorary Oscar at next year's February ceremony.

The Hollywood legend is to be given the award in recognition of his 'brilliant services to screenwriters, performers and the art of motion picture.'

Lumet, who made more than 40 films over the course of his colourful career, earned a Best Director nomination for his first film, '12 Angry Men', in 1958.

He went on to receive three more nominations in the same category, for 'Dog Day Afternoon', 'Network' and 'The Verdict', as well as one for screenwriting following his work on 'Prince of the City' in 1982.

In spite of these numerous nominations however, he has never actually won an Oscar.

Frank Pierson, the President of the Academy, had this to say about the filmmaker: 'Lumet is one of the most important film directors in the history of America and his work has left an inedible mark on both audiences and the history of film itself'.

He continued: 'It was a great personal and professional honour to call Sidney to tell him he's won his profession's highest honour.'

Lumet's other film credits include 'Serpico', 'The Hill', 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'Running on Empty'.

He is currently filming the Vin Diesel-starring mafia drama 'Find Me Guilty' which is due to be released late next year.

The Academy Awards take place at the Hollywood Kodak Theatre on February 27.