Lucas to present Lasseter with Golden Lion

VENICE, Italy, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Writer, director and producer George Lucas has agreed to present animator John Lasseter with an award at the Venice International Film Festival.

Lucas is best known as the mastermind behind the blockbuster "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" franchises.

ANSA said Lucas is to give Lasseter a Golden Lion lifetime achievement award Sept. 6. Lasseter worked in the computer graphic department at Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic. The department was acquired by Apple computers founder Steve Jobs and eventually became Pixar animation.

Lasseter is to share the award with his fellow Pixar directors Brad Bird, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich.

Pixar's films include "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Cars," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles."

Next month's appearance will mark Lucas' first at the festival, ANSA said.