(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Morgan Freeman is to be honoured for his services to film.

The American Film Institute (AFI) will pay tribute to the Oscar-winning actor with its prestigious 39th Lifetime Achievement Award.

The televised event with feature a host of actors and directors who will join in honouring the legendary actor.

Members of this years benefit committee are Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Dame Helen Mirren, Mike Nichols, Jack Nicholson, Brad Pitt, Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, Tim Robbins, Steven Spielberg, Hilary Swank, Ben Affleck, Jim Carrey and Denzel Washington.

"Morgan Freeman is an American treasure," Howard Stringer, Chair of AFI's Board of Trustees, explained. "Across decades, whether playing a prisoner, a president or God, he embodies a calm authority that demands respect for the character and for the art form. His gifts to the cultural record are also underscored by his unmistakable voice, featured in narration for films such that echoes through the hearts and minds of movie lovers around the world."

The 73-year-old American star won an Academy Award for Million Dollar Baby, which was directed by Eastwood and co-starred Swank.

Freeman, who was last seen in Red alongside Mirren and Bruce Willis, is famed for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Invictus, The Bucket list, Unforgiven and Driving Miss Daisy. He will appear in Christopher Nolans The Dark Knight Rises next year.

Freeman will be presented with the award at a gala celebration and the show will air on MTV Network's channel TV Land on June 26.

Previous winners include Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, George Lucas, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese. (C) Cover Media