Harrison Ford has said he is "deeply moved and humbled" to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The veteran American actor was presented with the accolade ahead of the world debut screening of his new film, Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny on Thursday.

The newest installment in the Indiana Jones franchise sees the 80-year-old reuniting with one of cinema’s most iconic adventure heroes, more than 40 years after Ford's first stint in Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981.

The new film premiers almost 15 years after the previous ill-fated sequel Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Dial of Destiny boast an all-star cast, with Fleabag actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge playing the titular globe-trotting archaeologist's goddaughter Helena Shaw, and Mads Mikkelsen in the imposing villain role of Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.

Ahead of the screening, Ford was celebrated with a career highlights reel, and received a thunderous ovation from the crowd inside the Grand Theatre Lumière.

Upon receiving the prestigious award, Ford became audibly emotional on stage. "They say when you’re about to die you see your life flash before your eyes. And I just saw my life flash before my eyes," The actor said.

"My life has been enabled by my lovely wife, supporting my passion and my dreams, and I’m grateful."

Addressing the audience directly, he continued: "And I love you too. You’ve given my life purpose and meaning and I’m grateful for that."

"I am deeply moved by this honour, and humbled – but I got a movie you gotta see. So let me get out of the way."

The fifth instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise is set between the years depicted in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) and Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.

Dial of Destiny will rollout to international cinemas on June 28th.