Short Film News (SFN) - Organizers of Hot Docs International Documentary Festival announced that British documentarian Richard Leacock has been selected as the recipient of this year festival's Outstanding Achievement Award.

Leacock will receive the award at the Hot Docs Awards Presentation on Friday, April 25, and as part of the honor, festival will screen a retrospective of his works.

The Hot Docs Outstanding Achievement Award is presented annually by the Hot Docs Board of Directors in recognition of a filmmaker's enduring contribution to the documentary form.
Past recipients of the honor include Albert Maysles, Nick Broomfield, Errol Morris, Heddy Honigmann, and Werner Herzog.

As well, Hot Docs will pay tribute to Jennifer Baichwal, with this year's Focus On retrospective, an annual program showcasing the work of a mid-career Canadian filmmaker.

The festival will also present its Doc Mogul Award to BBC's Nick Fraser for his contributions to the documentary industry. Fraser will be presented with his award at a special event during the Festival.

The 15th Hot Docs International Documentary Festival will take place April 17-27 in Toronto.