Hollywood, CA. -- July 7, 1998 -- The 2nd Annual Hollywood Film Festival has announced that distinguished director and producer Norman Jewison, who has been personally nominated for four Oscars, and whose films have received 45 nominations and 12 Academy Awards, will be honored with the festival's "Hollywood Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award." The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Festival.

Mr. Jewison's exemplary work as a director includes a wide range of films, including Moonstruck, In the Heat of the Night, A Soldier's Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The Cincinnati Kid, The Thomas Crown Affair, Agnes of God, Other People's Money, Rollerball, ...And Justice for All, The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming!" "Best Friends, and Jesus Christ Superstar, among others. In addition to his Oscar nominations, he has also been nominated for three Best Director awards by the Directors Guild of America and is a Golden Globe Award nominee.

Regarding the announcement, Mr. de Abreu states, "Mr. Jewison is one of Hollywood's most accomplished and highly regarded directors. His distinguished career in the motion picture industry serves as a perfect example of what up-and-coming filmmakers should strive for."

The "Hollywood Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award" will be bestowed upon Mr. Jewison as part of the gala awards ceremony on Monday evening, August 10, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Hollywood Film Festival was founded by New York Times bestselling authors Carlos de Abreu and Janice Pennington to discover neophyte talent from the global creative community and to introduce their work to mainstream Hollywood. Co-founders, chairs, and co-chairs include Alex Ben Block, Laifun Chung, Gene Hackman, Peter Hyams, Ted Kotcheff, Mimi Leder, John Briley, George Litto, David Permut, Bob Klane, James Orr, Fred Roos, Mark Rydell, and many other Hollywood notables.

Last year's Hollywood Film Festival was a resounding success with more than 400 film submissions, 140 industry professionals as panelists and guests, and thousands of attendees. Distributors and agencies that participated included CAA, William Morris, ICM, Miramax, New Line, Goldwyn, Fox Searchlight and the Overseas Film Group. The Festival was attended by many stars and celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, James Brolin, Kirstie Alley, Martin Landau, Graham Nash, and Kirk Douglas, among many others.

Carlos de Abreu, Founder, Executive Director
Hollywood Film Festival
(310) 288-1882