Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar received a lifetime achievement award at Spain's San Sebastian film festival Thursday, getting teary-eyed as he was given a prolonged standing ovation.

"Cinema has given me everything. Much more than I could have imagined," said Almodovar, who turned 75 on Wednesday, after he picked up the prize.

The Donostia award for "extraordinary contributions to the world of cinema" was handed to him at a ceremony attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Almodovar began his cinema career with kitschy black comedies, such as his first feature "Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls on the Heap" which premiered at San Sebastian in 1980.

He burst onto the international scene with his 1988 Oscar-nominated dark comedy "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", which tells the story of a woman who had just been dumped by her lover. Her apartment becomes the scene of hostage situations and accidental overdoses.

Over time however, a more serious element of the prolific Spanish director emerged.

That is exemplified in films such as 2002's "Talk to Her" -- which won Almodovar the Oscar for best original screenplay, rare for a non-English film.

In the same vein more recently was "Pain and Glory" from 2019, a reflection on his career as a film-maker, which earned two Oscar nominations.

- 'Couldn't stop crying' -

Ahead of the ceremony, Almodovar told reporters he had been overwhelmed with "just an enormous amount of emotion" as he reflected on his decades-long filmmaking career when he arrived in the northern city of San Sebastian for the festival.

"I couldn't stop crying and had tears running down my cheeks," he said. "It's been much more emotional than I expected --&nbsp;almost excessively emotional."

His first feature film in English, "The Room Next Door", starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, will screen later on Thursday at the festival.

A meditation on death and friendship set in New England, Swinton plays a war correspondent suffering from terminal cancer. Moore, her friend and a successful novelist, agrees to be at her side in her final moments.

The film won the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month.

It was Swinton who presented Almodovar with the Donostia award, praising his "unparalleled contribution to world culture and for inspiring in us such a devoted affection.

"Your work is good for the world. We thank you for it from the bottom of our hearts. You will live forever," she added.

"For me, cinema is a blessing or a curse," said Almodovar. "I can't imagine any other kind of life in which I can write and direct non-stop."

He paid tribute too, to many of the actors who have worked with him, including Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Cecilia Roth and Rossy de Palma.

San Sebastian, the highest-profile film festival in the Spanish-speaking world, wraps up on Saturday.

Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar received a lifetime achievement award at Spain's San Sebastian film festival Thursday, getting teary-eyed as he was given a prolonged standing ovation.

Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar received a lifetime achievement award at Spain's San Sebastian film festival Thursday, getting teary-eyed as he was given a prolonged standing ovation. "Cinema has given me everything. Much more than I could have imagined," said Almodovar, who turned 75 on Wednesday, after he picked up the prize. The Donostia award for "extraordinary contributions to the world of cinema" was handed to him at a ceremony attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Almodovar began his cinema career with kitschy black comedies, such as his first feature "Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls on the Heap" which premiered at San Sebastian in 1980. He burst onto the international scene with his 1988 Oscar-nominated dark comedy "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", which tells the story of a woman who had just been dumped by her lover. Her apartment becomes the scene of hostage situations and accidental overdoses. Over time however, a more serious element of the prolific Spanish director emerged. That is exemplified in films such as 2002's "Talk to Her" -- which won Almodovar the Oscar for best original screenplay, rare for a non-English film. In the same vein more recently was "Pain and Glory" from 2019, a reflection on his career as a film-maker, which earned two Oscar nominations. - 'Couldn't stop crying' - Ahead of the ceremony, Almodovar told reporters he had been overwhelmed with "just an enormous amount of emotion" as he reflected on his decades-long filmmaking career when he arrived in the northern city of San Sebastian for the festival. "I couldn't stop crying and had tears running down my cheeks," he said. "It's been much more emotional than I expected -- almost excessively emotional." His first feature film in English, "The Room Next Door", starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, will screen later on Thursday at the festival. A meditation on death and friendship set in New England, Swinton plays a war correspondent suffering from terminal cancer. Moore, her friend and a successful novelist, agrees to be at her side in her final moments. The film won the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. It was Swinton who presented Almodovar with the Donostia award, praising his "unparalleled contribution to world culture and for inspiring in us such a devoted affection. "Your work is good for the world. We thank you for it from the bottom of our hearts. You will live forever," she added. "For me, cinema is a blessing or a curse," said Almodovar. "I can't imagine any other kind of life in which I can write and direct non-stop." He paid tribute too, to many of the actors who have worked with him, including Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Cecilia Roth and Rossy de Palma. San Sebastian, the highest-profile film festival in the Spanish-speaking world, wraps up on Saturday.

Emotional Pedro Almodovar wins lifetime award at San Sebastian festival

The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival came to an end on Saturday (Sep 7) with the award ceremony.&nbsp;Spain's Pedro Almodovar won Venice's Golden Lion award&nbsp;for his pro-euthanasia film The Room Next Door while&nbsp;the acting prizes went to Nicole Kidman and Frenchman Vincent Lindon.

The Grand Jury Prize, considered a runner-up to the Golden Lion, went to the Italian film Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero. The film dealt with the effects of World War Two on an isolated mountain village.

The festival also honoured American actress Sigourney Weaver and Australian director Peter Weir with lifetime achievement awards.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nicole-kidman-leaves-venice-film-festival-in-hurry-after-learning-about-her-moms-sudden-death-756797">Nicole Kidman leaves Venice Film Festival in hurry after learning about her mom's sudden death</a>

Here are the top winners of the competition, as decided by a jury chaired by French actor Isabelle Huppert:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Golden Lion for Best Film - "The Room Next Door" by Pedro Almodovar (Spain)</li>
	<li>Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize - "Vermiglio" by Maura Delpero (Italy, France, Belgium)</li>
	<li>Silver Lion award for best director - Brady Corbet for "The Brutalist" (UK)&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Volpi Cup award for best actress - Nicole Kidman for "Babygirl" by Halina Reijn (US)</li>
	<li>Volpi Cup award for best actor - Vincent Lindon in "Jouer Avec Le Feu" by Delphine Coulin and Muriel Coulin (France)</li>
	<li>Award for best screenplay - Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for "I'm Still Here" by Walter Salles (Brazil, France)</li>
	<li>Special jury prize - "April" by Dea Kulumbegashvili (France, Italy, Georgia)</li>
	<li>Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young actor or actress - Paul Kircher for "Leurs Enfants Apres Eux" by Ludovic Boukherma and Zoran Boukherma (France)</li>
</ul>

(With inputs from agencies)

The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival came to an end on Saturday (Sep 7) with the award ceremony. Spain's Pedro Almodovar won Venice's Golden Lion award for his pro-euthanasia film The Room Next Door while the acting prizes went to Nicole Kidman and Frenchman Vincent Lindon.

The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival came to an end on Saturday (Sep 7) with the award ceremony. Spain's Pedro Almodovar won Venice's Golden Lion award for his pro-euthanasia film The Room Next Door while the acting prizes went to Nicole Kidman and Frenchman Vincent Lindon. The Grand Jury Prize, considered a runner-up to the Golden Lion, went to the Italian film Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero. The film dealt with the effects of World War Two on an isolated mountain village. The festival also honoured American actress Sigourney Weaver and Australian director Peter Weir with lifetime achievement awards. Also read: Nicole Kidman leaves Venice Film Festival in hurry after learning about her mom's sudden death Here are the top winners of the competition, as decided by a jury chaired by French actor Isabelle Huppert: Golden Lion for Best Film - "The Room Next Door" by Pedro Almodovar (Spain) Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize - "Vermiglio" by Maura Delpero (Italy, France, Belgium) Silver Lion award for best director - Brady Corbet for "The Brutalist" (UK) Volpi Cup award for best actress - Nicole Kidman for "Babygirl" by Halina Reijn (US) Volpi Cup award for best actor - Vincent Lindon in "Jouer Avec Le Feu" by Delphine Coulin and Muriel Coulin (France) Award for best screenplay - Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for "I'm Still Here" by Walter Salles (Brazil, France) Special jury prize - "April" by Dea Kulumbegashvili (France, Italy, Georgia) Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young actor or actress - Paul Kircher for "Leurs Enfants Apres Eux" by Ludovic Boukherma and Zoran Boukherma (France) (With inputs from agencies)

Venice Film Festival 2024: Almodóvar, Nicole Kidman among top winners; check full list

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