Alexander Payne named filmmaker of the year
The Descendants director Alexander Payne has been named filmmaker of the year by the American Cinema Editors (ACE).
Payne was praised by ACE's board of directors as "a consistently fresh, exciting voice in film".
The Oscar winner will receive his prize at a ceremony honouring film and TV editors on 18 February.
The Descendants is also nominated for best edited dramatic feature film at the awards.
It will compete against The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Moneyball and War Horse.
The film recently won a Golden Globe for best dramatic feature and has been nominated for five Oscars including best picture, director, adapted screenplay, film editor and best actor for George Clooney.
Payne previously won an Oscar and Bafta for best adapted screenplay for Sideways in 2005.
"We are delighted to recognise him with our most distinguished honour," ACE said in a statement.
"From the socially conscious and satirical Citizen Ruth to the rich and poignant comedies of Sideways, About Schmidt and most recently The Descendants, he is a filmmaker with unique vision and the ability to illuminate the humanity in every story he tells."