DaimlerChrysler Presents 'Behind the Lens' Award

* Hollywood comes out to celebrate Gordon Parks, director of "Shaft" -- the first African American to write, direct and produce a film for a major motion-picture company

* Natalie Cole to sing about an "unforgettable" icon; Robert Townsend and Richard Roundtree join DaimlerChrysler in honoring Parks at the "Behind the Lens" Award Ceremony

WHAT: Created in 2002, the "Behind the Lens" Award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals who work "behind the scenes" in the entertainment industry.

WHO: Gordon Parks -- photographer, writer, filmmaker, composer -- will receive the 2003 DaimlerChrysler "Behind the Lens" Award in recognition of career achievement and influence in the entertainment industry. Parks, 90, published 12 books, including three autobiographies; composed orchestral music and film scores; wrote a ballet about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; was the first African-American photographer to work at LIFE and Vogue magazines and the first African-American to write, direct and produce a film -- The Learning Tree -- for a major motion picture company. Parks also directed the original hit movie Shaft.

Avery Brooks -- Stage, film and television actor

W. Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President - Government Affairs, DaimlerChrysler and President - DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund (award presenter)

Other invited guests include Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, Shari Headley, Halle Berry, Gary Hardwick, Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey

  WHEN:   10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2003

  WHERE:  Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

DETAILS/OTHER: The first recipient of the "Behind the Lens" Award was Reuben Cannon, President of Reuben Cannon and Associates. Cannon is credited with casting many actors in roles that launched their careers in film and television.

Cannon said, "The creative contributions of African-Americans who work behind the scenes have been largely overlooked by the entertainment industry. There are many talented individuals whose work has played a vital role in television, film and the entertainment industry at large."

Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

PRNewswire -- March 5