Spirit awards plan Altman tribute

Altman was nominated four times for a Spirit award, and won two

The Independent Spirit film awards are to honour Robert Altman by naming a special award after the late director.

The first Robert Altman Award, to be given to a film's ensemble cast and director, will be given out next year.

An honorary award will be given to the late director this year in recognition of his contribution to ensemble films.

The awards take place in Los Angeles on 24 February. Altman, who died in November, is also nominated for best director for A Prairie Home Companion.

Hollywood maverick

Dawn Hudson, executive director of organisers Film Independent, said Altman was being honoured for "his commitment to challenging the status quo and changing the landscape of independent film".

Altman was nominated four times for a Spirit award, and won two.

The Hollywood maverick also earned himself five nominations for an Academy Award for best director, but never won the movie industry's top honour.

But he given an honorary Oscar last year for "a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form".