Birdman director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is to receive a special award from the body behind Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival.
The filmmaker, who is in the running for Best Director at this year's Academy Awards, has been announced as the recipient of the Sundance Institute's Vanguard Leadership Award for his success in the independent film industry, said the Hollywood Reporter.
"It comes as a great honour to receive this award from an organisation whose mission, spirit and objectives are noble and have a profound effect on many filmmakers around the world," Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu said.
Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, added, "Alejandro G Inarritu is among the most creative andinnovative filmmakers working today, and the boldness, humanity and audacity of his films will inspire generations to come."
The 21 Grams director will be presented with the award at the organisation's annual benefit gala to be held on June 2 in Los Angeles. Actress Glenn Close was the recipient of the Sundance Institute's Vanguard Leadership Award last year.
