The `Avatar` director has been given the prize - named after an early advocate of 3-D technology from the 1920s - by the International 3-D Society, and will pick up the award at the 2nd Annual Creative Arts Awards at Grauman`s Chinese Theatre on February 9.

Suzanne Lloyd, chair of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and granddaughter of the legend claimed the Canadian filmmaker showed "passion" working the technique in groundbreaking 2009 movie `Avatar`.

She said: "James Cameron has embodied Harold Lloyd`s vision and passion for dazzling audiences across the globe.

"With `Avatar` and his commitment to 3-D storytelling, it is appropriate that he is the first recipient of this most prestigious annual award."

The awards show in February 9 will be recorded and telecast in 3-D on the internet.

James lost out on the Best Director Oscar for `Avatar` last year to his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow, and expressed his upset Christopher Nolan has not been nominated in the same category at the awards in 2011.

He wrote: "I met Chris Nolan at the DGA awards & told him how much Inception blew me away. He should`ve gotten an Oscar nom but there`s never justice(sic)."
sections: Celebrities