Actor Sean Penn did not attend the Dubai International Film Festival where he was to accept the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Festival’s opening ceremony on December 12, 2010. The actor reportedly remained in Haiti with his charity the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), amid concerns for the charity’s staff in the wake of violent protests following the recent disputed presidential election

In a statement, Penn said: ‘I am honoured to receive the Dubai Film Festival lifetime achievement award and had every intention of being there to accept it in person. Regretfully, the situation in Haiti has worsened and it was of the utmost importance that I be there to ensure the safety of my staff and the J/P HRO camp.’

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 runs through December 19.