Director Phillip Noyce is toreceive an outstanding achievement award on April 6, the top annual honourbestowed by the Australian Screen Directors Association (ASDA).

Noyce was in the first classof students at the Australian Film, Television & Radio School and his first feature was Newsfrontin 1978, which won best film in the AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards.

He made several more filmsin Australia before heading to Hollywood in the late 1980s where his credits include Sliver, The Bone Collector and political thrillers Patriot Games and Clear AndPresent Danger.

He returned to makingAustralian films in 2000 with the indigenous-themed period story Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Quiet American.

Noyce filmed the politicalthriller Hot Stuff late last year in South Africa with the backing of Working Title. Films understoodto be in development at Noyce's production company Rumbalara include The Bielski Brothers, American Pastoral and Dirt Music. All are adaptations ofnovels.

Noyce is a founding memberof ASDA, as well as one of its first presidents, and will be presented with hisaward at a dinner in April.