Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein became an unexpected honouree at the 18th Capri, Hollywood Film Festival as he received a surprise award at the event.

Weinstein attended the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which he executive produced, at the festival in Capri, Italy and was stunned to hear his name called to receive an unscheduled award at the subsequent prizegiving ceremony.

Festival founder Pascal Vicedomini dubbed the superproducer "Mr. Oscar," and welcomed Weinstein on stage to accept the prize.

Weinstein, who was stunned to be put on the spot, joked, "What Pascal doesn't realise is that I'm not actually Jewish, I'm Sicilian. And I have some friends who are going to visit him in the middle of the night to repay him for calling me up on stage tonight."

Two attendees who were aware of their upcoming accolades were the film's stars, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, who were named actor and actress of the year.