He is a ductile actor who adapts himself equally to drama, comedy and black cinema

San Sebastian festival organisers on De Niro

In a statement issued on Monday, the festival organisers described De Niro and Sir Michael as "two of international cinema's greatest actors".

De Niro, has been one of Hollywood's most respected stars for the last 25 years.

He has made more than 70 films and won Oscars for his roles in Raging Bull and The Godfather II.

Festival organisers praised De Niro's versatility, saying: "He is capable of physically transforming himself, his voice and his appearance."

"He is a ductile actor who adapts himself equally to drama, comedy and black cinema," they added.

Enduring talent

De Niro took his first cinematic steps with Brian de Palma and Roger Corman in 1969.

But it was his meeting in 1973 with Martin Scorsese to make Mean Streets that was to make him into one of the biggest names in American cinema.

Sir Michael is to be honoured a second time

His most recent film, Men of Honor, is a naval drama in which De Niro plays a formidable senior officer and master diver.

It's not the first time Sir Michael has received an award in San Sebastian.

In 1996 he was presented with the best actor award for his work in Bob Rafelson's Blood and Wine.

When he collects the Donostia prize, however, he will be praised for an entire screen career spanning 40 years.

In that time, he has made more than 100 films. Like De Niro, he has won two Oscars, for The Cider House Rules and Hannah and Her Sisters.

He made his screen debut in 1956 but it was his role as secret agent Harry Palmer in the trilogy The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain that made his name.

Later films such as Sleuth, The Man Who Would Be King and Get Carter established him as an international and enduring star.

His latest film, Shiner, will be granted a special screening at San Sebastian.

It tells the story of a man who puts all his hopes of becoming a millionaire on the career of his son, a young and promising boxer.

Sir Michael said that the character of Billy "Shiner" Simpson is one of the favourites, admitting to "having been getting ready my whole life for a part like this".