2000

Lord Richard Attenborough, hometown hero Harold Ramis, Asian auteur Sabu, and science fiction and horror director Joe Dante all receive tributes. Laurence Fishburne receives the Black Perspectives Tribute, and Richard Gere is honored with a Career Achievement Award on Opening Night, when Robert Altman’s Dr. T and the Women makes its debut at the Chicago Theatre. Also honored is longtime friend of the festival, iconic photographer Victor Skrebneski, and the Festival premieres American indie charmer David Gordon Green’s debut film, George Washington.