Nicolas Cage at DIFF event

American actor Nicolas Cage walked the red carpet with his wife Alice on the third day of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) - December 13 - to present an award.

Cage presented the DIFF Outstanding Filmmaker of the Year Award to Charles Chuck Roven, one of the most recognized producers in Hollywood.

It feels great to be here because Im giving an award to my friend and my collaborator, Charles Roven, who makes great movies, and Im making my second great movie with him right now, Cage said.

The 44-year-old Oscar-winning actor expressed his enthusiasm about being in Dubai for the first time.

Its sparkling clean and progressive. I always wanted to come here. Im so happy you invited me and I hope youll invite me again. I want to make movies here, said Cage, who is known for his roles in Leaving Las Vegas, City of Angels, Lord of War and Ghost Rider.

Once inside the arena at Madinat Jumeirah, Cage told two stories about Roven, 59.

Cage said Roven truly deserved the award after producing four movies this year The Dark Knight, Get Smart, The Bank Job and the upcoming Season of the Witch starring Cage.

More than 20 years ago, Cage told the audience, both men met to discuss a movie, and Roven asked: So this is not a complete waste of time, why dont you tell me how you feel you can improve the script and make this character better?

Cage said: I didnt get the part, but I left his office thinking to myself that this man is not like anyone else I met in this town because he actually wanted to hear what I had to say about the movie.

I think thats why hes such a friend to all the actors he works with because he cares first and foremost, listens and collaborates.

The actors second story about Roven highlighted the producers courage. The director of City of Angels (1998) wanted Cage to do a four-page scene 1,000 feet up in the air on a narrow piece of steel on a skyscraper. I said I wasnt going to do it unless that man over there, producer Chuck Roven, was going to do it first, Cage said. I didnt know that Chuck had a little of stunt background, so he goes up on top of the skyscraper 1,000 feet up in the sky and he says, Hey its fun up here Nic. Lets make a movie.

Cage also praised Roven for taking risks and not being afraid to explore the material and the spiritual. Chucks movies make millions of people happy all over the world. But the reason hes a perfect producer is because his films entertain us and challenge us, Cage said.

Roven thanked DIFF for the award and then equalled the cities of Los Angeles and Dubai as two melting pots. In the short time that Ive been in Dubai, I found that its incredible in the sense that its everything you hear about: this amazing melting pot of people and cultures not just from Arabia but from all over the world, he said.

Together, all of us making movies, we strive to bridge cultures and meet minds in our never-ending quest for that perfect nexus for inspiration and execution.

DIFF Chairman Abdul Hamed Juma said: Charles Rovens long career is an extraordinary achievement and an inspiration for young, aspiring filmmakers throughout the world. I am proud to present Mr Roven with our Outstanding Filmmaker of the Year award in recognition of his far-reaching contribution to cinema.

Cage will be quite present on the big screen in the near future, starring in several movies such as Knowing, Bad Lieutenant, Kick-Ass and Season of the Witch. In the latter film, he plays a knight coming back from the final crusade in the 14th century who is given the task to take a woman, who is supposed to be a witch, to get rid of the plague. He has to decide whether thats really true as he fulfils his assignment.

Roven has produced dozens of huge pictures, including City of Angels, Batman Begins, Twelve Monkeys, Brothers Grimm and Three Kings.