Gere to be honored at Hampton film fest

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y., Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Actor Richard Gere will be presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Hamptons International Film Festival next month, organizers said Thursday.

Gere is to receive the Golden Starfish Award during the 20th edition of the festival Oct. 6 at Guild Hall in East Hampton, N.Y. The award will be presented during the festival's "Conversation with Richard Gere" program, a discussion with Gere about his life and career, moderated by the festival's honorary chairman, Alec Baldwin.

Gere's film credits include "Arbitrage," "Days of Heaven," "Pretty Woman," "American Gigolo," "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Chicago." He also is an accomplished musician, photographer and humanitarian, advocating for human rights with organizations that include The International Campaign for Tibet, Survival International and Healing the Divide.

"Richard Gere's outstanding body of work speaks for itself. Richard's phenomenal talent and social activism has showcased his passion and heart. We are thrilled to present him with the Golden Starfish Award for Lifetime Achievement in Acting," Karen Arikian, the festival's executive director, said in a statement.