New York, NY (November 2, 2000) – Jeff Bewkes, CEO of Home Box Office, and Frank Capra, Jr., President of EUE Screen Gems Studios, Wilmington, North Carolina, will join filmmakers Mike Nichols and Sydney Pollack, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and labor leader Thomas C. Short as honorees at the Second Annual Directors Guild of America Honors, a black-tie gala to be held at The Grand Hyatt New York on December 10th.
The evening will celebrate individuals and organizations responsible for distinguished contributions to our nation's culture in support of filmmaking and television. The membership of the Directors Guild of America, other top entertainment industry professionals, union, government and business leadership from across the nation are expected to attend. All honorees will be present to accept their award.
"Last year's Directors Guild of America Honors inaugurated a vital annual tradition," said Ed Sherin, National Vice President of the DGA. "Naturally, our focus is on the creation of terrific film and television. But the Guild is also uniquely positioned to honor the diversity of achievement which helps drive the spectacular productions of our industry from behind the scenes. For this reason, the inclusion of a great legislator, a visionary CEO and a powerful labor leader are essential additions to our list of honorees."
Jeff Bewkes is Chairman and CEO of Home Box Office, the world's largest cable television company, which operates multiple premium networks in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
The DGA is honoring Bewkes for his role in bringing HBO to the forefront of New York’s renaissance in episodic television production. Through the company’s dynamic efforts in support of cutting-edge series, such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City and OZ, Bewkes and HBO have helped renew New York's position as the "Entertainment Capital of the World."
Prior to becoming CEO in 1995, Bewkes had been president and Chief Operating Officer of Home Box Office since 1991. For the preceding five years, he had been Chief Financial Officer of the company. He joined HBO in June, 1979. Bewkes serves on the boards of Comedy Central network, The Creative Coalition, the American Museum of the Moving Image and St. Vincent's Services. He is a Trustee of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Advisory Councils of the American Museum of Natural History and Stanford Graduate School of Business. Bewkes has a BA degree from Yale University and an MBA degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Frank Capra Jr. has been active in the film industry for over four decades. Currently President of EUE Screen Gems Studios, Wilmington, NC, he has produced dozens of films, among them, Play It Again Sam, Death Before Dishonor, Marie, Tom Sawyer, Firestarter, Escape from New York, Time Bandits and three Planet of the Apes films. Early in his career, he worked as an assistant director on such favorite series as Gunsmoke, Hazel, and Dennis The Menace.
Capra is receiving a DGA award in recognition of his instrumental role in transforming Wilmington into a regional production center for both television and film, as well as for his significant contributions as a creator of original programming.
He is a member of numerous professional associations, including the Executive Branch Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the North Carolina Governor’s Film Council and the North Carolina Southeast Film Advisory Board. He is also Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Mr. Capra graduated from Pomona College, and received a Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
"I feel very fortunate and extremely proud to be an active participant in the extraordinary growth and quality of our Wilmington film community” says Frank Capra, Jr.
The decision to stage the DGA Honors award ceremony in New York is intended to showcase the unique synergy between film and television makers, investment capital, organized laborers, performing talent and forward-thinking city officials which has fueled New York’s record revenues and production schedules.
Last year’s honorees included filmmaker Martin Scorsese, Congressman Richard A. Gephardt (D- MO), Thomas O’Donnell Sr. (President of Local 817 of The International Brotherhood of Teamsters), Robert Shaye, Founder and CEO of New Line Cinema and the Austin Texas Film Society. A committee of DGA members appointed by DGA National Vice President Ed Sherin selects honorees.
Founded in 1936 by 13 of Hollywood’s leading filmmakers, including the legendary John Ford and King Vidor, the Directors Guild of America is the nation’s pre-eminent organization representing directors and members of the directorial team. The Directors Guild of America represents approximately 12,000 members who work in feature film, filmed, taped and live television, commercials and documentaries, including Directors, Unit Production Managers, Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, Technical Coordinators, Stage Managers and Production Associates.
The Second Annual Directors Guild of America Honors on Sunday, December 10th, will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:00 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, followed by the awards presentation at 8:00 PM at the Grand Hyatt New York (East 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues).
