Terry Gilliam: Parallels with Don Quixote

"I am not a survivor of cinema's golden age, because I am very much alive," Curtis said at the award ceremony.

The festival also gave a platform to ex-Monty Python member Terry Gilliam to discuss his latest work and to receive an award for his work in fantasy film-making.

Tony Curtis, 75, has made more than 60 films in his career and is best known for his roles in Some Like It Hot and Spartacus.

Gilliam is currently filming The Man who killed Don Quixote in Spain, which stars Johnny Depp.

The movie describes the adventures of a 20th Century advertising executive, played by Depp, who is transported to 17th Century Spain where he becomes the servant Sancho Panza to Don Quixote, played by French actor Jean Rochefort.

"The ability to dream, a refusal to accept imposed limits and the typically Spanish capacity to suffer are the elements that most interest me about Don Quixote and which lead me to think that in some way all my life I've been a part of him," Gilliam said.

Cecilia Peck: Memories of her father Gregory Peck

Johnny Depp was, according to Gilliam, very important for the film because he "is fast, intelligent, fun and when there is a problem, his contribution to finding a solution is tremendous."

Gilliam received the Time Machine award for his directorial skills in such films as Brazil, Twelve Monkeys and Time Bandits.

Cecilia Peck, the daughter of Gregory Peck, was also at the festival to present a documentary she has produced on her father's life and work.