Russell Crowe handed award at Taormina Film Festival

Russell Crowe picked up a prestigious acting prize ahead of the Italian premiere of his latest movie Man Of Steel at the Taormina Film Festival on Saturday (15Jun13).

Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon, and the film's director Zack Snyder, were on hand to support Crowe as he was presented with the Taormina Arte accolade at the 59th annual movie event.

Crowe then impressed the audience at the Teatro Antico venue by delivering his acceptance speech in Italian, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He told the crowd, "This is my first time in Sicily, and you are already giving me an award. I should come here more often."

Referring to his 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, he then added, "I have always had a deep love for Italy, even before I became a gladiator."

Crowe plays Superman's biological father Jor-El in Snyder's new blockbuster.

The Taormina Film Festival will wrap up on 22 June (13) with a screening of Johnny Depp's new movie The Lone Ranger.