Robert De Niro will screen 20 minutes from his upcoming CIAthriller The Good Shepherd at the Rome Festival, where he will receive the festival'sinaugural Steps And Stars Award.

The honour recognises individuals and cultural entities that havemade significant contributions to the film industry.

Last month the Tribeca and Rome festivals announced their officialcollaboration, under which each will screen pictures from the other's event.

Universal will release The Good Shepherd in North America on Dec 22. The RomeFilm Festival will run from Oct 13-21.