WATERVILLE (AP) – Actor Ed Harris, who has been nominated for four Academy Awards, will return to Maine this summer to collect the Maine International Film Festival’s Mid-Life Achievement Award.

Harris spent most of last fall in Maine starring as Miles Roby in HBO’s adaptation of Richard Russo’s “Empire Falls.”

“We always thought Ed Harris was a fabulous actor,” said Ken Eisen, an owner of the Railroad Square Cinemas and one of the festival’s programming directors. “When he came here, he wowed everybody here, not just with his acting, but with his humanity.”

While filming “Empire Falls” in Skowhegan in mid-November, Harris surprised local moviegoers by appearing at the Strand Cinema to introduce and discuss “Pollock,” a movie he directed and acted in.

Harris, who’s 53, also signed movie posters that were auctioned to benefit the Family Violence Project in Somerset and Kennebec counties.

At places such as Norridgewock and Waterville, he was known for a down-to-earth attitude and for chatting up local fans.

Eisen said festival organizers are still discussing the date of Harris’ arrival. The festival is scheduled for July 9-18.

The organizers also are sifting through Harris’ work to pick the movies that will be shown to accompany the award ceremony.

Shannon Haines, the festival’s director, said the screening decision will be made in the next two weeks, in consultation with Harris.

Harris has starred in movies such as “Apollo 13” and “The Truman Show.” Nominated for four Academy Awards, his career reached new heights with his portrayal of the painter Jackson Pollock in the 2000 movie “Pollock.”

Past recipients of the award include actors Peter Fonda and Sissy Spacek, as well as directors Jonathan Demme and Terrence Malick.

AP-ES-05-07-04 1337EDT