Legendary lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman are to receive the Special Award of Merit at the 53rd Annual International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists Awards, to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, February 26, 2016. They are being recognized for their unparalleled record in the creation of memorable songs that are now part of the American psyche.
Their lyrics are instantly recognizable, with such songs as "The Windmills of Your Mind" and "The Way We Were," which each won Best Original Song Oscars for the films, respectively, The Thomas Crown Affair in 1969 (shared with composer Michel Legrand) and The Way We Were (shared with Marvin Hamlisch) in 1974. The Bergmans won a third Oscar in 1984, for Best Music on the strength of Yentl (shared with Legrand).
Nominated for a total of 16 Academy Awards, the Bergmans have worked with many of the world’s top composers and singers for more than five decades. They include Sting, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mandel, Dave Grusin, John Williams, Quincy Jones, James Newton Howard, Cy Coleman and Henry Mancini.
As previously announced, FX Networks CEO John Landgraf will be named Television Showman of the Year. Still to be announced are the Motion Picture Showman and a Lifetime Achievement honoree. The Publicists will also honor their own with the Les Mason Award, the highest honor for a publicist, and the Maxwell Weinberg Awards for Motion Picture and Television Campaigns. The Bob Yeager Award for Community Service, the Unit Still Photography Award for Motion Pictures and Television, the Press Award and the International Media Award will be announced at the event.