Jean-Luc Godard, Francis Ford Coppola honoured with Oscars at Governors Awards

Legendary filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and Jean-Luc Godard have been presented with honorary awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

The second annual Governors Awards, organised by the Academy on Saturday, saw the cream of Hollywood talents including Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Kevin Spacey and George Lucas assemble to celebrate the icons.

Godfather director Coppola was handed the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award, while Godard, a key figure in the French New Wave movement, was awarded a honorary Oscar, The Hollywood Reporter said.

De Niro paid tribute to Coppola, calling him "an inspiration and one of my biggest influences".

French-born Godard, whose selection had raised eyebrows because of the barbs he has tossed at Hollywood over the years as well as allegations that he has made anti-Semitic remarks, could not attend.

"That's unfortunate, but his absence in no way diminishes our respect and appreciation for his work as a filmmaker. And I want you to know that this award is meaningful to him," said Academy president Tom Sherak.

Honorary Oscars were also presented to film historian Kevin Brownlow and veteran actor Eli Wallach, 94.

De Niro, who spoke of Wallach's "incredible warmth, humour and humanity", also joked, "Eli, now that we're going for the same parts, I hope we can remain friends."

Eastwood drew laughs by noting that he was relieved that he was one of two living castmembers from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, in which Eastwood shared the screen with him.

Spacey presented Brownlow with an Academy Award for his work preserving and protecting silent films.