By Ellie Iorizzo in Los Angeles

Australian actress Nicole Kidman has described a ceremony where she is receiving the American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award as “a little overwhelming” – but reiterated her gratitude for the honour.

Hollywood stars including Morgan Freeman, Naomi Watts and Reese Witherspoon appeared on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate Kidman.

The Oscar-winning actress, who will become the 49th recipient of the award – the highest honour for a career in film at the AFI – arrived in a glittering golden dress.

The Moulin Rouge star will be the first Australian actor to receive the accolade, and joins a star-studded roster of previous recipients, including Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro.

Kidman, who says she has an introverted personality, said on the carpet: “It’s a little overwhelming.

“I want to be able to appreciate it and show that I love it and that I am so grateful, but I’m a little awkward. That’s just my personality. I’m sometimes shy.”

The 56-year-old described it as “everything short circuits in me”.

“As an actor that’s what we do, we act as actors, we’re given scripts, we have direction, we collaborate,” Kidman said.

“So the idea of being by yourself… but I’ll always rise to the occasion and I’m so grateful to be on this list.”

Kidman added that she wanted everyone to know she was “incredibly grateful and appreciative”.

The actress was scheduled to be presented with the award on June 10 last year, but the ceremony was postponed indefinitely due to the writers’ strike, which was resolved in September after 146 days on the picket line.

Kidman has been nominated for five Academy Awards, winning the best actress Oscar in 2003 for her performance in The Hours alongside three-time Oscar winner Streep.

During her career, she has also won a Bafta, two Emmys, and six Golden Globe awards.