PHILADELPHIA (AP):

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg will be awarded Philadelphia's 2009 Liberty Medal for his artistic and humanitarian achievements.

The National Constitution Center made the announcement yesterday. Former President Bill Clinton will present the award, which comes with a US$100,000 cash prize, to Spielberg on October 8.

Spielberg's films include Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and The Color Purple. He has also established a foundation to produce video and oral histories of Holocaust survivors.

The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations whose actions represent the founding principles of the United States.

Previous winners have included Bono, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and former US President Jimmy Carter.