Samuel L. Jackson honoured at Dubai International Film Festival

Samuel L. Jackson has called his Dubai International Film Festival's (DIFF) Lifetime Achievement Award a "great honour".

The 67-year-old actor was on hand to help open the first night of the annual festival on Wednesday (07Dec16). Bollywood actress Rekha and French-Lebanese composer Gabriel Yared were also given Lifetime Achievement awards.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the gong to Samuel, who was accompanied by his wife LaTanya Richardson.

"It's a great honour to be given the Dubai International Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award," he told the crowd. "It's wonderful to be included into the Emirates' film community, and I look forward to meeting all of its amazing filmmakers and making many new friends."

The DIFF is celebrating its 13th year, and Samuel told the audience how he'd been trying to get to it since the very first festival was held in 2004. And despite a packed schedule of eight new films in production, including Avengers: Infinity War and Kong: Skull Island, Samuel joked he's always looking for more work.

"Anybody out there who has got a job for a brother, let me know. Anytime you need me, call me. I will see if I can get here," he said, making the audience laugh. "Maybe one of my films will be screening here next year."

As well as his award, festival chairman Abdulhamid Juma also heaped praise on the Pulp Fiction star.

"Samuel L. Jackson is, quite simply, an icon," he stated. "Our Lifetime Achievement Award is a testament to the dedication and talent of individuals whose abilities are unmatchable and Samuel L. Jackson is the epitome of that."

Jessica Chastain's new movie Miss Sloane opened the festival, with Hollywood names Tyrese Gibson and Olga Kurylenko also in attendance.

The festival runs until 14 December (16).