Sophia Loren still ageless at 80 as Hollywood honour her incredible career
ICONIC actress Sophia Loren continued to defy her age as she was honoured at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
Sophia ensured all eyes were on her as she dazzled in a black floor-length gown which sparkled with strings of silver beads.
The cleavage-baring dress emphasised the star's famous curves which have changed little since Sophia's heyday.
In true superstar fashion she finished her look with a diamond encrusted choker and matching earrings.
Paying tribute to old Hollywood glamour, the actress wore hair short red hair in voluminous curls.
The 80-year-old lapped up the attention from her adoring crowd, throwing her hands in the air and blowing kisses to onlookers.
Joining her on the red carpet was her son Edoardo Ponti. The director held his mother's hand as they walked into the event together.
The Italian legend had the audience of the festival laughing and cheering as she discussed her extraordinary career of over 60 years with director Rob Marshall.
Sophia, who was born Sofia Villani Scicolone in 1934, explained that films were an escape from real life when she was growing up in Naples, Italy.
“When I saw the movies, I forgot the war, forgot hunger. It was possible to believe there was another life than the one I was in.”
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times the Oscar winning actress said she was still living her dream.
She said: "When you are 20 years old, you don't think one day you will turn 80.
"But when you do, you still can't believe it. But of course, I have still the pleasure of going on with my dreams. You can still fall in love with your future."
The night included a screening of her movie Marriage Italian Style, the 1964 comedy was restored earlier this year to mark its 50th anniversary.
