The Canadian moviemaker's 1967 drama starring Sidney Poitier scored five Academy Awards, and he went on to land another three Oscars for 1971's Fiddler on the Roof.

Jewison will now follow in the footsteps of legendary directors including Frank Capra and Alfred Hitchcock when he is awarded the DGA's highest honour in January (10).

DGA President Taylor Hackford says in a statement, "He is an incredible filmmaker whose calm, affable manner belies a ferocious creative fire within. Norman well deserves to stand among the giants of cinema whom we have honored in the past."

Jewison's last big screen offering came in 2003 with The Statement, starring Sir Michael Caine.