Pioneering cinematographerWilliam A Fraker is to receive the Camerimage Lifetime Achievement Award at the11th Annual International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, whichruns in Lodz, Poland, from Nov 29-Dec 6.

Born in Los Angeles in Sep1923, Fraker graduated from the University of Southern California with a degreein film-making and eventually worked as director of photography on his firstfeature, the thriller Games, in1967.

After that he worked onnumerous titles and was at the vanguard of an expressive cinematographymovement feted for introducing a new style in the 60s and 70s.

He earned Oscar nominationsfor Looking for Mr Goodbar(1978), Heaven Can Wait (1979), 1941 (1980), War Games (1984) and Murphy's Romance (1986), as well as one for visual effects on 1941.

Fraker's other creditsinclude Bullitt, Rosemary'sBaby, Paint Your Wagon, Tombstone and Waking Up in Reno.

As a director he made TheLegend Of The Lone Ranger (1981), AReflection Of Fear (1973) and MonteWalsh (1970).

'Bill Fraker is one ofthe great artists of contemporary times,' Marek Zydowicz, founder anddirector of the festival, said in a statement.

'He has madesignificant and enduring contributions to advancing this important art form.The originality of his work and his dedication to the art are an inspirationfor filmmakers with unrealised dreams in every part of the world.'

Previous recipients of theaward include Vilmos Zsigmond, Conrad Hall and Laszlo Kovacs.

Fraker received a lifetimeachievement award from the American Society of Cinematographers in 2000.