MUMBAI: Veteran actor Sean Penn is to be honoured at this year‘s Hollywood film festival for his charity work in earthquake-hit Haiti.

The star co-founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation in the wake of the January earthquake and spent months in the Caribbean nation distributing food and medical supplies as well as building schools and hospitals. 

Earlier, Penn had received a knighthood in Haiti for his efforts and now will receive the Hollywood Humanitarian Award at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony in Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

"It is an honour to recognise the inspiring humanitarian efforts that Sean Penn and his J/P Haitian Relief Organization have been providing to the great people of Haiti," said Hollywood Film Festival Founder and Executive Director Carlos de Abreu.