James L. Brooks Set to Receive CinemaCon Award Ahead of Release of New Film ’Ella McCay’

James L. Brooks is heading to Las Vegas.

The veteran creative, who has maxed out his multihyphenate talents during a career that spans six decades, will be adding another honor to his long list of accolades when CinemaCon presents him with a Cinema Vérité trophy for his big-screen accomplishments.

The special honor will be presented during the Walt Disney Studios presentation inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 3. It comes ahead of the release of his newest film, Ella McCay, set for release from 20th Century Studios on Sept. 19. Written and directed by Brooks, the comedy follows the complicated politics that arise when a young woman’s stressful career clashes with a chaotic family life.

It stars Emma Mackey in the title role opposite a cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Kumail Nanjiani, Spike Fearn, Ayo Edebiri, Rebecca Hall, Julie Kavner, Jack Lowden, Becky Ann Baker, Joey Brooks with Albert Brooks and Jamie Lee Curtis. Brooks also produced with Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell and Jennifer Simchowitz, the latter of whom is his wife.

“If anyone embodies the essence of authentic filmmaking, it’s James L. Brooks, as his filmography represents a heartfelt cinema of truth,” said Mitch Neuhauser, managing director of CinemaCon. “Over the past six decades, he has directed films such as Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News and As Good as It Gets that have made moviegoing audiences around the world laugh, cry and reflect on life in ways that are undeniably honest.”

Neuhauser, who noted that Brooks is a storyteller whose work speaks “to the heart of who we are,” also singled out some of Brooks’ producing efforts, films like Big, Say Anything and Jerry Maguire.

Brooks started his entertainment career as an usher CBS before landing a coveted gig as a news writer. He segued to writing on TV series and went on to create beloved shows like Room 222, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Lou Grant and Taxi. He made his feature directorial debut on Terms of Endearment and won three Oscars for it, including best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay.

The Gracie Films founder followed it up with Broadcast News, As Good as it Gets, Spanglish and How Do You Know? He also changed TV history with The Simpsons. His accolades also include two Peabody Awards, honors from the Directors Guild, Producers Guild and Writers Guild as well as being included into the TV Academy Hall of Fame and being named a Disney Legend.

CinemaCon, the annual gathering of exhibitors and Hollywood studios, is presented at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas by Cinema United, formerly known as the National Association of Theater Owners. This year’s edition runs from March 31 to April 3.