US actress Sigourney Weaver is to be honoured with a Golden Lion for her many acting achievements at this year's Venice International Film Festival.
The 74-year-old star of "Alien," "Avatar" and "Gorillas in the Mist" plans to accept the lifetime achievement award in person in Venice at the end of August.
The festival - one of the world's premier cinema events - will run from August 28 to September 7.
Festival director Alberto Barbera announced the decision on Friday, praising Weaver as "a star who has built bridges between the most sophisticated art-house cinema and movies that engage with the public in a frank and original way, all the while remaining true to herself.”
“An actress of the calibre of Sigourney Weaver has few rivals," he said.
The Hollywood actress has also been nominated for an Oscar three times but has always come away empty-handed.
The film festival is taking place for the 81st time this year. The jury is chaired by French actress Isabelle Huppert.