Actress Cicely Tyson is set to receive an honorary degree from The American Film Institute next month (Jun14).

The Help star will be feted with a Doctorate of Fine Arts for her "contributions of distinction to the art of the moving image" at the AFI Conservatory's commencement ceremony on 11 June (14) in Los Angeles.

Screenwriter Robert Towne will also be honoured alongside Tyson.

This is not the first honorary degree for the 80 year old - in 2009, she was feted by Morehouse College in Georgia and on Wednesday (21May14) she will be recognised by Columbia University in New York.