ROME (Reuters) - Chinese director John Woo, famed for his choreographed action movies such as "Face/Off" and "Mission: Impossible II," will receive a lifetime award at next year's Venice film festival, organizers said on Monday.

Woo, who besides being a film-maker also founded the Lion Rock production company and is an author of video-games and graphic novels, "has renewed action movies to the core" both in Asia and Hollywood, the festival said in a statement.

Best known for his stylized action scenes and slow-motion sequences, Woo counts among his admirers the likes of Martin Scorsese, Sam Raimi and Quentin Tarantino.

The 63-year old director recently returned to his roots with "Red Cliff," an epic film about an ancient Chinese battle and the most expensive Asian-financed movie made with a $80 million budget.

Next year's Venice film festival runs Sept 1-11.

(Reporting by Silvia Aloisi)