Boston Fest Honors Schmeer, Kline

Karen Schmeer. Photo by Garret Savage, via AJ Schnack.

In memory of late editor Karen Schmeer, a longtime collaborator of Errol Morris ("The Fog of War") who was killed in a hit-and-run incident on the Upper West side of Manhattan on January 29 of this year, the Independent Film Festival of Boston will introduce the Karen Schmeer Award for Excellence in Documentary Editing at its 2010 festival. This prize, which will be a permanent part of the festival, will "recognize editors who have the greatest impact on the final shape that a film takes," and will be awarded to one of the documentaries in this year's competition. The 2010 festival the jury will be comprised of filmmakers who either worked with Karen or were close to her.

In addition to IFFBoston's award, the Karen Schmeer Editing Fellowship has been established by friends and colleagues of Karen's" to honor her memory and spirit." The fellowship is a year-long experience that provides opportunities to help cultivate an editor's artistry and craft and to expand his or her professional and creative community. To find out more about the fellowship visit www.karenschmeer.com.

The festival also announced that actor Kevin Kline will receive an IFFBoston Career Achievement Award as part of the eighth annual IFFBoston's opening night festivities. Kline's latest film, Robert Pulcini’s "The Extra Man," which also stars Paul Dano, Katie Holmes, and John C. Reilly, will open the festival, set to run April 21-28. In all, over 150 films will screen at the festival, with the complete lineup to be announced in late March.