Actor Leonardo Dicaprio has received an honorary award from director Martin Scorsese at the opening of the seventh Marrakesh Film Festival in Morocco. Scorsese lavished praise on the 33-year-old as he presented him with a Golden Star Award on Friday, paying tribute to him for "always working till he breaks through the psychological depth of the character he has to play."

He added, "I never fail to be amazed by his clear and complete commitment to his work."

DiCaprio, who has worked with the Oscar-winner on three films to date - Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed - paid tribute, returned the compliment by calling him "a legend."

The pair is set to reunite next year for their fourth movie together, thriller Shutter Island.

Moroccan director Mostafa Darkaoui was also awarded a Golden Star in recognition of his contribution to cinema in his homeland.

More than 100 films will be shown at this year's festival, which opened with a screening of period drama Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

The festival, which honored Scorsese himself in 2005, runs until December 15.

source: hiphop-elements.com