David Chase, multi-award-winning creator of "The Sopranos," is returning to HBO to develop a miniseries about the invention of cinema and subsequent growth of the Hollywood film industry.

As the sun rises on another St Patrick's Day, it's time to honor the Emerald Isle and all things Irish by looking back at the classic movies of Ireland. From leprechauns and colourful characters to political dramas and violence, Hollywood has had a long and varied history with Ireland.

M*A*S*H co-stars Sally Kellerman and Elliot Gould, John C. Reilly, Andie MacDowell and Lily Tomlin were among the stars who paid tribute to late filmmaker Robert Altman at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California yesterday.

Tributes have poured in for director Robert Altman, who died on Monday from complications related to cancer. Meryl Streep, Elliot Gould, Richard Gere, Tim Robbins and Sophia Loren - all of whom starred in Altman's films - have praised the auteur, who passed away in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 81.

Clint Eastwood has been presented with the Founders Award from the Motion Picture and Television Fund Golden Boot committee for his contributions to Western movies. The screen veteran, who has previously received the Golden Boot for his acting achievements, is the second director to win the Founders Award after filmmaker John Ford.