Martin Scorsese honours Darren Aronofsky

Darren Aronofsky credited Martin Scorsese with inspiring his moviemaking career as the legendary director handed him an achievement award at a film festival this week.

Goodfellas director Scorsese stepped up to present Aronofsky with the John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema at the closing ceremony of the First Time Fest in New York on Monday night.

Black Swan director Aronofsky used his acceptance speech to lavish praise on his movie idol, telling the audience he dreamed of asking advice from Scorsese during his early days as a director.

He said, "When I was trying to make my first film, I would daydream and fantasise that I could somehow walk into Marty - Mr. Scorsese's - office, and just express my passion, and he could just give me a tip or two."

The ceremony, held at Manhattan's The Players venue, was hosted by actress Ellen Burstyn, and the event's Grand Prize was presented to Diego Rougier's modern Western Sal, which won a theatrical distribution deal.