Melvin Van Peebles will receive the ShoWest 2004International Lifetime Achievement Award, completing a distinguished talentroster set to appear when the Las Vegas industry convention runs from Mar22-25.

Van Peeblesfamously directed and starred in the 1971 blaxploitaiton picture SweetSweetback's Baadasssss Song and his other credits include the 1968 drama The Story Of AThree Day Pass.

Van Peebles' sonMario has created a documentary homage to his father's work in Baadasssss!, which Sony Pictures Classics willrelease in the US.

ShoWest organisers also announced the screening of NewLine's ..romance The Notebook, which isdirected by Nick Cassavetes and stars ShoWest 2004 Male Star of Tomorrow RyanGosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands, James Garner and Joan Allen.

The picture isdue to open in the US on Jun 25. Other confirmed screenings include LionsGate's The Punisherand Miramax's Ella Enchanted.