Martin Scorsese has accepted an invitation to become honorary president of the Accademia del Cinema Italiano, the body behind Italy's top film honours, the David di Donatello awards. The 83-year-old director, who is of Sicilian heritage, agreed to the proposal from Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and the academy's governing foundation.
The foundation's board will convene to formally ratify the appointment, a procedural step that will make the role official. The academy is currently led by President Silvia Calandrelli and Artistic Director Gian Luca Farinelli.
The David di Donatello prizes, awarded annually, are Italy's most prestigious recognition in cinema. Scorsese's appointment signals the academy's push to strengthen its international profile by drawing on one of the world's most celebrated filmmakers with deep Italian roots.