Emmerich set for Shakespeare conference

PORTLAND, Ore., July 23 (UPI) -- Oregon's Concordia University says it plans to recognize German-born filmmaker Roland Emmerich with an arts award in September.

Emmerich is to headline the university's Shakespeare Authorship Research Centre's fall conference Sept. 6-9 in Portland.

Emmerich's new film, "Anonymous," speculates on a centuries-old question -- did William Shakespeare really write the works attributed to him? The movie will be shown at the conference ahead of its October release.

The filmmaker is also to receive the Vero Nihil Verius Award of Artistic Excellence.

Emmerich's film credits include "Independence Day," "2012" and "The Day After Tomorrow."

"Concordia University's Shakespeare Centre is pleased to bestow its highest award on Mr. Emmerich and is honored to host the Portland screening for his new film 'Anonymous,'" Dr. Daniel Wright, professor of English and director of the Shakespeare Authorship Research Centre at Concordia University, said in a statement Wednesday.