WASHINGTON - The Smithsonian Institution is honouring Clint Eastwood for his six decades of work in American film, and the actor and director is cutting the ribbon to open a new theatre to showcase film at the National Museum of American History.

On Wednesday, Eastwood will visit the museum to help dedicate the new Warner Bros. Theater as a new space to present the history of Hollywood. Warner Bros. Entertainment donated $5 million in 2010 to renovate the old Carmichael Auditorium into a modern theatre with 3D projection capability.

On Friday, the museum will open a three-day film festival to highlight the work of Humphrey Bogart with free screenings of "Casablanca," ''The Maltese Falcon" and other films.

The 81-year-old Eastwood will be awarded the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his distinguished contributions.