Martin Scorsese is set to become honorary president of Italy's David di Donatello Academy - with the legendary filmmaker saying Italian cinema has been a "constant source of inspiration" throughout his life.

The 83-year-old Goodfellas and Taxi Driver director has accepted the position at the Accademia del Cinema Italiano, which oversees the David di Donatello Awards, Italy's equivalent of the Oscars.

The proposal was made by Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli, in agreement with the foundation's founding members and president Silvia Calandrelli, with its board now required to formally approve the appointment.

In a statement addressed to Alessandro, Martin said: "Italian cinema has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life.

"The films, authors and artistic traditions born in Italy have profoundly shaped both my understanding of cinema and my work. Being associated, in this capacity, with the Academy and the David di Donatello Awards is particularly meaningful to me."

Martin added: "I will be honoured to support the Academy's commitment to the international promotion of Italian cinema and film culture, and to contribute to its cultural initiatives and activities."

The filmmaker, whose family roots are in Sicily, has frequently spoken about the influence of Italian cinema on his career.

His body of work spans more than five decades and includes Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Martin won the Academy Award for best director for 2006 crime drama The Departed and has maintained long-running creative partnerships with actors Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Alessandro said he proposed Martin for the honorary presidency "because few filmmakers embody the profound connection between the great Italian tradition and the history of cinema like him".

He added: "His willingness to accept represents an extraordinary recognition for our cinema and for Italy, the land of his origins."

The appointment forms part of a wider overhaul at the David di Donatello Academy.

Gian Luca Farinelli, head of Bologna's Cineteca and its Il Cinema Ritrovato festival, has been appointed artistic director, while Silvia has taken over as president.

Gian Luca replaces some of the responsibilities previously held by film journalist Piera Detassis, who became the first woman to lead the awards in 2018.

Piera had served both as president of the academy and artistic director, but the two positions have now been separated.

Silvia, a senior executive at Italian state broadcaster RAI, holds the presidency, while Gian Luca oversees the awards as artistic director.

Martin's honorary presidency adds a third senior figure to the revamped organisation, which said its governance changes will be completed with the appointment of an artistic steering committee.

The honour comes during another active period for Martin.

He recently served as an executive producer on Apple TV's Cape Fear, the Javier Bardem, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson series inspired by the 1991 thriller Martin directed.

Steven Spielberg, who produced Martin's original film, is also an executive producer on the television adaptation.

Martin has also appeared on screen this year.

He voiced the Ardennian character Hugo Durant in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu and played Richie 'Red' Rodriguez in Jonah Hill's Outcome.

His upcoming work includes Netflix drama The Roman, which reunites him with Oscar Isaac.

Martin is executive producing the Las Vegas-set series, whose cast also includes Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin and David Costabile.

Martin's latest Italian honor will become official following the David di Donatello Academy board's formal approval of his appointment.