Sean Penn to receive film honour at Dubai festival

Sean Penn is a two-time Academy Award winner

Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn will receive a lifetime achievement prize at this year’s Dubai Film Festival.

The star, whose career spans nearly three decades, has starred in more than 45 films including the 2008 movie Milk, for which he won an Academy Award.

Festival Chairman Abdulhamid Juma called Penn “an outstanding and versatile actor, gifted director and accomplished producer”.

Penn will receive the trophy at the opening ceremony on 12 December.

“Sean Penn is without a doubt one of the finest talents of our generation,” Mr Juma said.

“His tireless work on behalf of the people of the world from Haiti to the United States to Iraq and Iran, and his use of the celebrity spotlight to assist humanity, is an example to us all.

“We look forward to welcoming this culture-bridging icon to Dubai,” he added.

In January, the star founded an organisation which focuses on aid for the people of Haiti.

Penn, who won his first Oscar in 2003 for Mystic River, has also starred in Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown and I Am Sam.