'Silver Linings' director David O. Russell gets L.A. Film Fest award

THE EVIDENCE: The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012) WHY HIM: It's a pleasure to watch a director's career come into sudden, exhilarating focus. That's — Photo: JoJo Whilden

The rave reviews and positive audience reception of Silver Linings Playbook have earned director David O. Russell some special honors at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. He will be the festival’s Guest Director and will also receive the event’s Spirit of Independence Award.

In Russell’s role as Guest Director, he will host a screening of his 1999 film Three Kings, starring George Clooney. He will also attend the 12th annual Filmmaker Retreat at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch in northern California, a gathering for filmmakers who have movies in the L.A. festival.

The Spirit of Independence Award “recognizes an individual for his or her commitment to artistic independence in film,” according to Film Independent, which produces the festival. Russell’s other films made without the producing help of the Big 6 studios include 2010’s The Fighter and 2004’s I Heart Huckabees. His feature debut, the black comedy Spanking the Monkey, won Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay at the 1995 Independent Spirit Awards.

Film Independent also announced Friday that the 2013 festival will again feature its Master Class series, this year with Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids, Away We Go) choosing her favorite comedy scenes and discussing why they work. Composer Gustavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain, On The Road) will also lead the classes, selecting scored scored scenes and discussing why they’re effective.

The 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival runs from June 13 to June 23 in downtown L.A.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmilyNRome

Casting Net: Jennifer Lawrence, together again with David O. Russell

Pedro Almodovar’s ‘I’m So Excited!’ to screen at L.A. Film Festival’s opening night