American Cinematheque honors Julia Roberts

LOS ANGELES, July 23 (UPI) -- Actress Julia Roberts will receive the American Cinematheque award from the Los Angeles group for her contribution to the movie industry.

The non-profit's 22nd annual award will be presented at an Oct. 12 gala in Beverly Hills to be aired on AMC cable channel in December, Variety reported Monday. The gala is the biggest benefit for the American Cinematheque, which owns and operates the Egyptian Theater, built in 1922 on Hollywood Boulevard, and the Aero Theater, built in 1940 in Santa Monica.

Roberts was nominated for Academy Awards for "Steel Magnolias" and "Pretty Woman," and won an Oscar in 2001 for her title role in "Erin Brockovich."

The American Cinematheque is "a non-profit, viewer-supported cultural organization dedicated exclusively to the public presentation of the Moving Picture in all its forms. The Cinematheque presents the best of film and video -- ranging form the classics to the outer frontiers of the art form," according to its Web site.