One of the new voices in horror filmmaking, writer/director Eli Roth debuted in the world of film with a bang. His film, Fièvre noire (2002) proved to be one of the most successful independently-financed film releases of 2003. This award is given to a filmmaker who has made an indelible mark in quality genre filmmaking.

Investor and Philanthropist Paul G. Allen creates and advances world-class projects that change and improve the way people live, learn, work, and experience the world through arts, education, entertainment and technology. He co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1976 and remained the company's chief technologist until he left in 1983. He is Founder/Chairman of Vulcan, Inc. and Chairman of Charter Communications. He gives back to the community through his six various foundations. This summer, he will open a museum, The Science Fiction Experience, which will inspire appreciation of science fiction's history, creativity, and contribution. The museum is based in Seattle. We honor Paul G. Allen this year for his pioneering efforts in software development and philanthropic causes.

One of our generation's finest filmmakers, Ridley began his career as a set designer for the BBC in the 60's. He soon became a television director working on such Brit shows as Z Cars (1962). He soon began his own company and showed his talent in directing innovative commercials in the 70's. He directed his first film, Les duellistes (1977), in 1977. He would follow this up with Alien: Le huitième passager (1979) and Blade Runner (1982) which are both considered groundbreaking works of the genre. Other classic films directed by Ridley include: Legend (1985), _Black Rain (1989/I)_, Gladiateur (2000), Hannibal (2001) and La chute du faucon noir (2001). He is considered a legend in the genres we honor.

A producer/director/writer, Blake Edwards has had a distinguished career beginning in the 40's as an actor (Strangler of the Swamp (1945)). He turned to writing radio scripts and soon found himself working at Columbia. He turned his writing skill to producing and directing. Some of his best films include: Experiment in Terror (1962), The Great Race (1965), and the hugely successful Pink Panther Film Series (with the British comic 'Peter Sellers'). He is most renowned for his serious work, Diamants sur canapé (1961) and Days of Wine and Roses (1962).

Considered one of the great composers of our lifetime, John Williams has been writing music for over 40 years. He began by playing piano at 20th Century Fox in 1956. He quickly moved up to writing music for such television shows as Les joyeux naufragés (1964), Lost in Space (1965), Au coeur du temps (1966) and Au pays des géants (1968). He composed his first feature film in 1967 with Valley of the Dolls (1967) (which was nominated for an Academy Award). His body of work includes Les dents de la mer (1975), _E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)_, the La guerre des étoiles (1977) trilogy, Superman - Le film (1978) and the recent Harry Potter films. For years he's captivated live audiences as the conductor for the Boston Pops.

Gale Anne Hurd is one of the finest producers working in film today. Her efforts in nurturing new young talent is well known in the industry. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University. She began working for Roger Corman in 1977 and learned much about the industry. She collaborated with James Cameron on four masterpieces of the genre: Terminator (1984), Aliens, le retour (1986), L'abysse (1989) and Terminator 2: Le jugement dernier (1991). She has produced many successful films including: _Armageddon (1998/I)_, La relique (1997), Le Sceau de Satan (1991) and Hulk (2003). She receives this award for her dedication to quality genre entertainment and follows in the tradition set down by our Academy's Founder, Dr. Donald A. Reed.