Clint Eastwood poses backstage at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards in this file photo from Jan. 15, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif. [AP]

LOS ANGELES - Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood will receive the Motion Picture Association of America's inaugural humanitarian award, the association announced Thursday.

Eastwood, 76, will be presented the Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award at a private dinner Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

"For decades, (Eastwood) has exemplified the decency and goodness of spirit in his moviemaking," said MPAA Chairman Dan Glickman, lauding the filmmaker for his recent pair of World War II-themed works, "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Letters from Iwo Jima."

"These films exemplify the true power of movies to tell human stories and inspire national conversation," Glickman said.

Eastwood is nominated for an Academy Award for directing "Letters from Iwo Jima." The film is also up for best picture.

The humanitarian award was named after the MPAA's longtime chief, Valenti, who helped choose Eastwood as its inaugural recipient.