SUBMITTED BY katystarlet

January 27, 2002 — It was announced that the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign (NMHAC) will bestow its first annual Awareness Awards on "Beautiful Mind" producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard.

"NMHAC is pleased to recognize Brian Grazer and Ron Howard for their sensitivity and understanding of the fine line between fantasy and reality faced by individuals living with an illness of the brain. The Campaign honors the filmmakers' innovation and creativity in creating a motion picture that promotes greater awareness of mental health issues and helps people view mental illness as a treatable disease rather than a character flaw," an NMHAC rep said.

Grazer and Howard will receive their awards at an event hosted by Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, in Washington, D.C., on January 30th.