SF Professionals Honored at ShoWest

ShoWest, a convention for motion picture professionals and theater owners, has announced two of several awards it will be presenting at this year’s event — and both went to people involved in genre film.

Natalie Portman, who played Princess/Ambassador Amidala in Star Wars Episodes I, II and III, has been named “Female Star of the Year.”

M. Night Shyamalan, who’s genre films include The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village and the forthcoming Lady in the Water, has been named “Director of the Year.”

Now in its 31st year, ShoWest will take place March 13-16, 2006 at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.