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Tim Burton was honoured with a Golden Lion lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival yesterday.
The Batman director was presented with the prestigious accolade by friend Johnny Depp, who has starred in several of his movies including Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands, in recognition of his "brave, innovative and visionary film-making".
Burton said: "Hopefully it just inspires me to keep going."
"I've been to this festival a few times, and each time I've come here I've just had this very special feeling about it."
To honour the director, the festival screened a 3D version of Burton's animated movie The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The 49-year-old film-maker has achieved major critical and box office success since breaking into the mainstream with Beetlejuice in 1988, but refuses to choose a favourite.
He said: "I feel strangely close to all of them, they all have a certain place in your heart."
Presenting him with the award, Depp hailed Burton as the greatest director he has ever worked with.
Depp said: "He is a rare breed in today's cinema. Beyond that he is a true original, a true artist, a true auteur. He's my favourite director and friend."
Clips of Burton's latest movie, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, were also shown at the festival.
The film, which also stars his pregnant long-term love Helena Bonham Carter, is due for release early next year.
- BANG! SHOWBIZ
