'X-Men' cinematographer Don McAlpine to receive special AACTA Award

Don McAlpine has been awarded Australia's highest movie accolade for his contribution to various motion pictures.

The 77-year-old Aussie cinematographer, who has worked on films such as Patriot Games, Romeo + Juliet and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, said that it was an "honour" to discover that he will be receiving the Raymond Longford Award at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards later this month.

According to the Herald Sun, McAlpine will receive his gong at a special lunch in Sydney this weekend.

The film veteran said: "I am thrilled with the honour it implies to the art and craft of Australian cinematographers," while AACTA chief Damian Trewhella added: "With more than 50 films to his name, three AFI awards, one Academy Award nomination and two BAFTA nominations among other accolades, McAlpine is truly an Australian artist of international standing."

McAlpine, who used to be a sports teacher, was once nominated for an Academy Award for his cinematography on Moulin Rouge.

Although this year marks the first ever AACTA Awards, the accolade was previously included in the AFIs. Past winners of the Raymond Longford Award include Jack Thompson, The King's Speech star Geoffrey Rush and Charles "Bud" Tingwell.

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Watch a trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine below: