Jeffrey Katzenberg to Receive National Medal of Arts

WASHINGTON, D.C.: DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg is among those who will be presented with a National Medal of Arts by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Awarded by the President, the National Medal of Arts is presented to "individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States." The medals will be presented on July 28.

Katzenberg, director and CEO of DreamWorks Animation, is being honored for "lighting up our screens and opening our hearts through animation and cinema. Mr. Katzenberg has embraced new technology to develop the art of storytelling and transform the way we experience film."

World Screen's Anna Carugati interviewed Katzenberg last year ahead of his appearance at MIPCOM, where he was named Personality of the Year. You can read that in-depth Q&A here.

Other recipients at today's ceremony include documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, musician Linda Ronstadt and novelist Julia Alvarez, among others.