Helen Mirren to receive prestigious film award

Dame Helen Mirren is to be honoured at this year's European Film Awards in recognition of her lifetime achievement in the industry.

The Oscar-winning actress will be presented with the prestigious European Achievement in World Cinema award at the 25th annual ceremony in Malta in December.

Mirren, who scooped a best actress Academy Award for her role in The Queen, says of her latest honour, "It was discovering the immense diversity of European filmmaking that gave me an enduring love and respect for the art form.

"This award is therefore a very meaningful honour. I would be proud to be counted as an actor in the European tradition."

Founded in 1988, the European Film Academy aims to promote the continent's movie culture by helping to unite 2,700 European moviemakers.