On Wednesday night, September 29th, New York's landmark Waldorf-Astoria hotel played host to many key members of the city's film community for the Fifth Annual DGA Honors. As in previous years, it was a time for colleagues and DGA members to gather in honor of those who have contributed so much to the American film industry. Hosted by funnyman Dave Chappelle, presenters Julie Delpy, Swoosie Kurtz, Jude Law, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, Oprah Winfrey and Richard Belzer were on hand to give awards to Bertrand Tavernier, Congressmen Howard Berman and David Dreier, Sherry Lansing, Lorne Michaels, Robert De Niro, Jonathan Demme, and the Dean of Florida State University Film School, Frank Patterson.

Before the ceremony, past collaborators such as Mike Nichols and Steve Martin, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese could be seen making their way through the gauntlet of photographers and hopping tables, chatting over drinks and dinner.

When the lights came down and Chappelle took the stage, the tone was set for an informal evening among friends. DGA President Michael Apted, defined the mission for the evening — "honoring men and women of vision who have performed above and beyond the call of duty" — and saluted the youthful sense of courage and adventure the honorees had shown.

To kick off his remarks, Apted announced both the successful resolution of recent negotiations with the AMPTP, and a freshly-minted deal with the television networks — which had been finalized at 3:45 AM that very morning in New York.

DGA National Vice President, Ed Sherin followed, outlining the broad scope of the DGA: "We are East Coast, West Coast, below the line, above the line, TV news and sports, afternoon drama, UPMs, and SMs," he said. "We are a motley crew, with different jobs and different needs. We disagree often, but with collegiality and civility. In the midst of the most rancorous political environment in my memory, divisive fighting unfortunately within our sister guilds, the DGA proves what can be accomplished when diverse and contradictory opinions are shared in a thoughtful and reasoned way. That's what a union of states, or a union of workers, is meant to do."

The first presenter was French actress Julie Delpy, who left the teleprompter to speak from the heart about her observations of director Bertrand Tavernier and his tireless work on behalf of artist’s rights. Tavernier spoke passionately about the need to protect the work of directors, and addressed his work in the fight against colorization of black and white films. "Do you colorize a black and white drawing by Rembrandt or Durer?" Tavernier demanded. "Do we colorize photography by Henri Bresson? We have to respect the film that the director wanted."

Comedian Richard Belzer, a two-time host of DGA Honors, presented the DGA Honor to Frank Patterson, Dean of the Florida State University Film School, who accepted on the University's behalf.

Introducing California's Congressmen Howard Berman and David Dreier, Swoosie Kurtz said, to great applause, "I'm very glad to be here because I've been to Toronto one too many times to film." The congressmen were recognized for their responsiveness toward, and past five years working with the DGA and the industry on the problem of runaway production, and Kurtz praised them for their understanding that the film industry is more than just "red carpets and People magazine."

The issue of runaway production loomed large in the comments of many of those on stage that night, and evoked consistent response from the audience. Ed Sherin expressed hopes that the the Runaway Production Alliance, spear-headed by the DGA, will result in "all scripts set in the United States (being) shot in the United States." Robert De Niro, in accepting his award for his great contributions to the New York film community, asked: "To be honored for doing what I love to do, in the city that I love, what could be better? But how can we keep more productions here in the U.S., let alone New York City? Something has to be done!"

The words resonated particularly deeply coming from De Niro, who has worn the hats of actor, director and producer, and who, with partner Jane Rosenthal, created the Tribeca Film Center and Tribeca Film Festival, both of which have done so much to grow the New York film community.

Jude Law, in introducing honoree Sherry Lansing, noted that it was "her confidence in me, and her enthusiasm, that made the choice so easy" for him to take on his role as Alfie, and he spoke to how her enthusiasm and confidence have had a similar effect on all those with whom she has worked. In accepting the award, Lansing noted that "receiving this award from the DGA has special significance for me because I am in awe of, and I respect, directors."

Producer Lorne Michaels, seated with Steve Martin, Ben Affleck and his current Saturday Night Live cast, joined presenter Mike Nichols onstage to receive the DGA Honor. The collegiality between Nichols and Michaels was evident as Michaels spoke about how special and how invigorating it has been for him to work in New York City and to have had the opportunities to work with so many talented comedians over the years.

Oprah Winfrey spoke with passion and spirit about the effect director Jonathan Demme has had on both her life and the lives of others. "From the moment that I met Jonathan Demme, my life was altered -- because of your extreme joy, Jonathan. And your enthusiasm for living. And your passion for doing what is the good, and great, thing. Being around you makes me feel everything more deeply." In his remarks, Demme summed up his feelings about being a member of the Guild. "For me, the DGA is very much about an endless fight for creative integrity in movies; it's for safety and integrity in the workplace; it's for a bigger share of the pie. And I'm also proud of the fact that I think the DGA, more than any other Guild involved in the motion picture industry, is very, very much at the forefront of the push for evermore diversity."

In introducing De Niro, Martin Scorsese spoke of how the Film Center helped develop the surrounding neighborhood into a thriving community, but particularly of the great gift of the Tribeca Film Festival, "coming when we needed it most," responding so quickly to the events of September 11th when lower Manhattan was in dire need of economic development. "The Tribeca Film Festival became a symbol of rebirth for a neighborhood and for a city," Scorsese said. It seemed fitting that the evening should close by acknowledging this great creative and economic contribution, made by one of the industry's finest artists.