Actor Robert De Niro has said he is "honoured" that Rome Film Fest will present the Tribeca Film Festival with its Steps and Stars Award at its inaugural edition this year.
The award recognises individuals and cultural entities that have made significant contributions to the film industry.
Tribeca Festival co-founder De Niro was among the movie movers and shakers meeting Rome film festival chief executive officer Carlo Fuortes to discuss a partnership between the two showcase events.
As part of the partnership, the Rome Film Fest will screen six films from the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival and next year Tribeca plans to show a selection of films from Rome.
Robert De Niro will also screen select scenes from The Good Shepherd - a Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie starrer about the birth of the CIA - at the Rome Fest.
De Niro said: "We are pleased to be part of the inaugural Rome Film Fest and honoured the Tribeca Film Festival is receiving the first annual Steps and Stars Award.
"I look forward to a long-term creative relationship between Rome and Tribeca."
The first annual Rome Film Fest will run from October 13-21, with De Niro accepting the award on the last day of the festival.
The six Tribeca Film Festival selections to be shown as part of the partnership with the Rome Film Fest are:
The War Tapes, Winner of Best Documentary Feature at Tribeca, it incorporates digital video footage taken by National Guardsman called up to serve in Iraq.
The Yacoubian Building (Omaret Yacoubian) winner Best New Narrative Filmmaker at Tribeca, it tells three stories in Cairo connected by the building.
Akeelah And The Bee - National Spelling Bee drama.
The Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge documentary.
The Mist in the Palm Trees (La Niebla en las Palmeras) - Documentary on a Spanish photographer's involvement in The Manhattan Project.
In addition to the partnership selections, four films that screened at Tribeca in 2006 were chosen by the Rome Film Fest to be part of its inaugural slate. They include:
Driving Lessons - British coming of age drama, starring Rupert Grint.
I'm Reed Fish - small town drama.
Just Like the Son – Kidnap drama, written and directed by Morgan J. Freeman.
Tierney Gearon: The Mother Project - Documentary following the art photographer.
