Multiple Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola received a lifetime achievement award at a ceremony where he was praised for his "fearless" approach to filmmaking.

The 86-year-old director of classics such as The Godfather (1972–1990) and Apocalypse Now (1979) received the trophy from fellow film legends Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who praised him for his fight against the system and for redefining American cinema.

Lucas, creator of Star Wars (1977–2019), recalled how Coppola told him "don't be afraid to jump off a cliff," while Spielberg praised the "fearless" director and said The Godfather was "the greatest American film ever made."

"You took what came before you and redefined the canon of American cinema, and in doing so, you inspired a generation of storytellers," Spielberg added.

The award was presented by the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI), which annually compiles lists of the best films ever made and is considered one of the most respected institutions in the industry. | BGNES