FIRST OFF . . .

The first “best directors in the world” awards will be presented, under the name of the late Orson Welles, during opening night of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. The May 6 Cannes opening coincides with Welles’ birthday, and the awards ceremony may become an annual event known as the “Orsons.” The awards are the brain child of Henry Jaglom, an independent film maker and close friend of Welles. Any director with at least one feature credit is eligible to vote in categories that include best director of the year, best first director and best auteur film maker (writer and director).