Chicago Film Fest to honor Poitier

CHICAGO, June 20 (UPI) -- Organizers of the 44th Chicago International Film Festival say they plan to honor screen icon Sidney Poitier with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The actor is to receive the award at the Black Perspectives Tribute to be held at Chase Auditorium Oct. 18.

Fox News Chicago's Robin Robinson is to preside over the special tribute event.

Event planners said Poitier's career will be celebrated with a selection of film highlights and a one-on-one conversation with special guest interviewer Linda Johnson Rice, president and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing, Inc., publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines.

Guests will then attend a reception with entertainment by Terisa Griffin.

Poitier, an actor, director, producer and best-selling author, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and was the first African-American to win the Best Actor Academy Award in 1963. He earned the prize for his performance in "Lilies of the Field."

Poitier has also starred in "Cry, the Beloved Country," "A Raisin in the Sun," "To Sir, with Love," "In the Heat of the Night," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs."