The 12th annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards honored Clint Eastwood as the Hollywood Director of the Year on Monday. Eastwood received rave reviews for the films "Changeling" and "Gran Torino," which inspired the award.

Carlos de Abreu, the founder and executive director of the festival said in a press release, "Clint Eastwood is truly an American film icon, and his impressive body of work exemplifies his extraordinary ability, craftsmanship and determination as an actor, director and producer."

"He continues to wow audiences with his creative vision as a filmmaker, and we are thrilled to honor him at the Hollywood Awards."

Award co-chair, screenwriter and director Paul Haggis said of Eastwood, "Just when you think Clint Eastwood is about to take a breath, he shoots two films in a year and starts prepping a third, and barely thinks any of that is worth mentioning. He brings dignity, grace, humility, humor, quiet confidence and a sense of ease to a profession that is in sore need of all of those virtues."

The ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and was presented by Starz. Past honorees of the award have included Marc Forster, Ron Howard, Michael Mann, Sam Mendes, Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone.