George Clooney to be Honored by Broadcast Film Critics Association with Its “Freedom Award”

December 01, 2005, The Broadcasting Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that it will honor George Clooney by presenting him with its Freedom Award on the live telecast of 11th annual CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS set to air on The WB Monday, January 9, 2006 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The BFCA presents its Freedom Award to individuals “for illuminating our shared values of freedom, tolerance and democracy.” Dennis Miller, the Emmy Award-winning comedian and social commentator will host the gala event. Last year, Tom Cruise was presented the Distinguished Career Achievement in Performing Arts Award.

“At a time when honest and fearless journalism is vitally important and yet in distressingly short supply, ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’ has had particular resonance with our organization,” said Joey Berlin, BFCA President. “The film’s central character, Edward R. Murrow, remains an iconic figure in our profession – broadcast journalism. While our efforts to inform the public about new movies cannot be compared to Mr. Murrow’s seminal &ldsquo;See It Now’ broadcasts, much of our work has evolved from his ‘Person to Person’ shows.

“We wish to honor Mr. Clooney not because of our distant connection to Mr. Murrow, but to celebrate his vital contribution to our popular culture, ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’ It is that rare film that ‘illuminates our shared values’ while educating and entertaining its audience. As Mr. Clooney has shined his light on a crucial moment in our history illustrating the impact and importance of courage and integrity in broadcast journalism, we hope to shine our light on his accomplishment.”

In addition to directing “Good Night, and Good Luck.”, Clooney co-wrote the film with Grant Heslov and appears in it as producer Fred Friendly. Clooney’s other film credits include the upcoming film “Syriana,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” ”Ocean’s Eleven,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Three Kings,” “Out of Sight,” and “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” which was also Clooney’s directorial debut. He initially rose to stardom playing Dr. Douglas Ross on the hit television series “ER.”

Clooney is the third Freedom Award recipient. The first Freedom Award was presented by Will Smith to Muhammad Ali and the second was presented to Denzel Washington and Antwone Fisher by Don Cheadle. Other special award recipients at the CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS include Steven Spielberg (presented by Holly Hunter), Clint Eastwood (presented by Sean Penn), Tom Cruise (presented by Jada Pinkett Smith), and Michael Mann (presented by Russell Crowe).

The CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS are selected by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which is comprised of the top film critics and entertainment reporters on television and radio stations coast-to-coast. The BFCA was founded in 1995 and is the largest film critics association in the United States and Canada, representing almost 200 television, radio and online film critics. The BFCA presents its CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS annually to honor the finest achievements in filmmaking.

Nominations for the 11th annual CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS will be announced on Sunday, December 11 and the telecast will be produced by Bob Bain Productions.

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Julie Kingsdale

The WB Publicity

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