American actor-film maker Clint Eastwood, 78, said he was « proud to be the first one to be honoured » at the brand-new Lyons Film Festival where he was awarded the 2009 Lumière Prize for his entire work, last Saturday, which was personally handed to him by French film-director Bertrand Tavernier. <br />“We owe a lot to Auguste and Louis Lumière, and, as far as I am concerned, it is to them both that I owe 60 years of work!” he said jokingly as he received his prize : a copy of a film-boxset from the movie pioneers, the Lumière brothers. <br />“I fell in love with Lyons two years ago and I would like to thank Gérard Collomb, its mayor, for supporting this festival, which is great because there is no competition, no losers, no winners… except me” he said. <br />“I am proud to be the first person to be honoured here” Clint Eastwood added as he was given a standing ovation by some 4,000 people in the Amphithéâtre du Centre des Congrès.
