Almodovar and Cruz have worked on several films together

The Spanish film-maker was awarded the Fipresci best film of the year award at the 54th San Sebastian film festival in the northern Basque city.

Volver stars Cruz as a woman whose mother returns from the dead.

The award is voted for by 350 film critics around the world. Almodovar, 54, won the first Fipresci prize in 1999 for All About My Mother.

At this year's Cannes film festival in May, Volver won best screenplay and the best actress award for all six actresses in the cast.

Almodovar is widely regarded as one of Spain's most celebrated film directors.

Oscar voters have honoured him twice, naming All About My Mother best foreign film in 2000, and Talk To Her best original screenplay two years later.

Cruz has starred in several of his films and has said she plans to work with him again.