The British talent will collect the Founder’s Directing Award at the 55th San Francisco International Film Festival which runs from Apr 19-May 3.

Branagh, who most recently starred opposite Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn for which he earned a best supporting actor Academy Award nomination, will be honoured at Film Society Awards Night on Apr 26.

San Francisco Film Society’s interim executive director Melanie Blum said of Branagh: “He is in the midst of a much-lauded career that has included a number of the most innovative stagings of Shakespeare’s work ever put to the screen, for which he is best known.

“A brilliant ensemble comedy and most recently a superhero epic have also benefited from his exceptional skill as an actors’ director.”