Recently the Recording Academy announced some new Grammy Awards including one for songwriting.

The Academy for Motion Picture Arts and  has announced the list of honouees to receive special Oscars as a part of the Governors Awards.  Songwriter Diane Warren, and directors Peter Weir and Euzhan Palcy will receive the honours; with actor Michael J Fox being awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.  This will be the first Academy Awards for each of them.

Academy president David Rubin issued a statement saying, “the Academy’s Board of Governors is honored to recognize four individuals who have made indelible contributions to cinema and the world at large.  The honorary Oscar statuette is given for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the academy.”

A prolific songwriter, Diane Warren has written songs for over 100 different films and has earned a nomination for 13 of them but has never won an award.  The 65 year old Warren has worked with a number of artists including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Cher, Celine Dion, and Whitney Houston.

Australian filmmaker Peter Weir’s credits include “Dead Poets Society”, “Witness”, “The Truman Show”, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”, “Green Card”, Picnic at Hanging Rock”, “The Last Wave”, and “Gallipoli”.

Trailblazing director Euzhan Palcy was born in Martinique.  She made her film debut with “Sugar Cane Alley”.  She also directed “A Dry White Season”.

Best known for his role as Marty McFly in the  “Back to the Future” movies, Michael J Fox has worked tirelessly to advocate for Parkinson’s research since his diagnosis with the disease at the age of 29.  His Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has been named a leader in the field of research.  While the 61 year old has never earned an Academy Award nomination; he holds five Emmy, one Grammy, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The Governors Awards will be held in Los Angeles on November 19.