David Lynch To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At Camerimage Festival

David Lynch will take home the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Plus Camerimage Festival in Poland. A number of famed directors have received the award, including Ji?í Menzel (2002), Roman Polanski (2007), and Jerzy Skolimowski (2010).

Since his debut feature, "Eraserhead" in 1977, the unconventional auteur has proved to be a distinguished visionary. His inscrutable films often defy traditional narrative structure. For example, the plot of "Mulholland Drive" (2001) is presented as a möbious strip (two alternate perspectives that ultimately merge together).

A statement released by the festival refers to Lynch's unique cinematic voice.

"The inimitable worlds created within the films of the American director, which are based on the real world, let the audiences immerse themselves in a mixture of reality and fiction, dreams and nightmares, imagination and perversion."

Camerimage will screen a number of Lynch's films, including "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet" and "Highway" throughout the festival.

This is not the first time that the festival has recognized the director's work. Cinematographer Freddie Francis, who has frequently collaborated with Lynch, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. In 2003 Lynch was presented with the Contribution to Polish Culture award.

The international film event celebrates the art of cinematography as well as production design, art direction and editing. Each year the festival boasts a diverse screening lineup that includes films (including shorts and music videos) from around the world. Camerimage also offers workshops, seminars, and talks with industry professionals. Over the years, such notable guests as Darren Aronofsky, Joel Schumacher, Oliver Stone have participated in discussions and shared their insights with festival goers.

The Camerimage festival runs from Nov. 24-Dec.1 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.