British moviemaker Steve McQueen is to be honoured for his career achievements at the 2014 European Film Awards.

The 12 Years A Slave director will receive the prestigious European Achievement in World Cinema prize at the 27th annual ceremony in recognition of his contribution to film.

MCQueen will also be the European Film Academy's guest of honour at the prizegiving in Riga, Latvia on 13 December (14).

Previous recipients include Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, Dame Helen Mirren and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.