Robert Altman to Receive Honorary Oscar

Director/producer/writer Robert Altman has been voted an honorary award by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The award, an Oscar statuette, will be presented at the 78th Academy Awards on March 5th. The award will be given to Altman to honor "a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form and inspired filmmakers and audiences alike." Altman has received five Academy Award nominations for directing for "M*A*S*H," "Nashville," "The Player," "Short Cuts" and "Gosford Park" as well as two additional nominations as a producer of best picture nominees "Nashville" and "Gosford Park," but has never taken home the Oscar. He has directed 86 films, produced 39 and written 37 of them. [Brian Brooks]