MUMBAI: The 53rd annual San Francisco International Film Festival will present its Kabar Award for excellence in screenwriting to Focus Features CEO and co-founder James Schamus on 29 April.

The fest also plans to screen the new director‘s cut of Ang Lee‘s Ride with the Devil.

The award, named in honor of Maurice Kanbar, a longtime member of the board of directors of the San Francisco Film Society, will be presented by John Waters.

"The 2010 Kanbar Award highlights the writing accomplishments of a man with a uniquely multifaceted career as a writer, producer, executive and scholar," said SFFS director of programming Rachel Rosen, "We‘re pleased to be able to honor James Schamus, who appreciates, as does Maurice Kanbar, the essential role that screenwriting plays in the genesis of a great film."

The Film Society‘s Youth Education programme will be the beneficiary of the black-tie fundraiser chaired by Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein and honorary chairs Penelope Wong and Timothy Kochis.