Clint Eastwood to receive MPAA's first Jack Valenti Award

Clint Eastwood is this year’s winner of the MPAA’s Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award and it couldn’t have gone to a better bloke.

It’s the first time the award’s been handed out, but we’ve been assured that it will be presented annually to an individual in the film industry whose work has reached out positively and respectfully to all countries, creeds and cultures.

Recipients will also possess an unwavering dedication and respect for the dignity of others. Which sounds like Clint to us.

MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman had a thing or two to say about the news: “The MPAA is thrilled to recognize as its inaugural recipient Mr Clint Eastwood, who for decades has exemplified the decency and goodness of spirit in his moviemaking. His two acclaimed movies about World War Two’s infamous battle at Iwo Jima present a remarkable work of looking at both sides of a moment in history and providing a commentary on its impact on the lives of those who experienced it. These films exemplify the true power of movies to tell human stories and inspire national conversation.”

Jack Valenti himself said: “To me, this award rises above the ordinary. My only response is wrapped in humility and a pride wherein any words of mine are insufficient to illuminate what I feel - though it is kind of nice to have an award named after me while I'm still alive. That's cheerfully optimistic.”