BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Academy Award winner Clint Eastwood received a special honor from the Motion Picture&Television Fund for his contributions to the Western genre.

Eastwood, an Oscar winner for directing"Unforgiven,"was presented the Founder's Award during the group's 24th annual Golden Boot Awards held Saturday. The ceremony recognize actors, stunt people, producers and directors who have furthered the tradition of the Western in film and television.

Morgan Freeman, who co-starred in Eastwood's Oscar-winning film"Million Dollar Baby,"presented the special award, which has been given only eight times since the ceremony began 24 years ago.

Eastwood, 76, is the second director to receive the Founder's Award after John Ford, who was behind such Western classics as 1956's"The Searchers."

Also Saturday, Golden Boot Awards were handed out to actors Ann-Margret, Joan Leslie, Powers Boothe and Wes Studi, director Leslie H. Martinson and stunt coordinator Buddy Van Horn.

The Motion Picture&Television Fund, founded in 1921, provides health care and other services for those in the entertainment community.

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