Ben Affleck received the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Modern Master Award, for his contribution to film in 2012 with his direction of "Argo," in which he also stars.
The film depicts the true story of the daring rescue mission of United States diplomats from 1970s Iran.
Affleck's "Good Will Hunting" co-writer Matt Damon presented him with the award before a packed audience of cinephiles.
Before the ceremony, Affleck said that he looks forward to directing more films because of the artistic freedom he feels in the job.
SOUNDBITE Ben Affleck saying (English):
"I think as the director you get to tell a whole story, and you get to sort of wrap around that story themes that are resonant and interesting to you, as an actor you kind of come to a movie and you're trying to express the director's vision for them, so you don't really get to do the same kind of thing in terms of, you know, creating something that speaks from your own experiences. You know, you have bigger sense of authorship."
"Argo" is a major contender for best picture, having won the top film prize at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards. At that ceremony, Affleck also won a prize for his directing of the film, although he was not nominated in the directing category at the Oscars.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival continues through Sunday, February 4.
