CHICAGO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert is to receive the Gotham Award, a prize awarded to only one other film critic, The New Yorker's late Pauline Kael.
Ebert has been named a recipient of the Gotham Award presented by the Independent Feature Project to those who advance the cause of independent films, the Sun-Times reported Saturday.
"Through all the outlets at his disposal, Roger has been a very vocal champion of independent films," said Michelle Bryd, executive director of IFP.
Ebert, who is recovering from a series of surgeries related to cancer, plans to attend the award ceremonies Nov. 27 in New York.
"Nothing has given me greater pleasure on the job than discovering a wonderful film by a new director," Ebert said Friday. "Independent films are the port of entry for the great filmmakers of the future."
Ebert is only the second critic to be honored by the IFP. Kael, who died Sept. 3, 2001, received the award in 1995.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Javier Bardem and director Mira Nair also are to receive Gothams this year.
