Tim Burton re-made Planet of the Apes

Burton will be given the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Italian movie event.

Organisers described Burton as "one of the most courageous, visionary and innovative American film-makers".

Burton's films include Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Venice Film Festival begins on 29 August.

Collaboration success

The director's version of Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd is expected to be released later this year.

Hollywood star Johnny Depp will play the lead role, opposite Burton's partner Helena Bonham Carter.

Depp and Burton have worked together several times in the past, producing films such as Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow and Ed Wood.

Their adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory made more than $470m (�248m) worldwide in 2005.

The Venice Film Festival is widely considered second only to Cannes in terms of prestige on the film festival circuit.

Last year, it named Dame Helen Mirren best actress for her role in The Queen, ahead of her Golden Globe and Oscar triumphs.