Stars line up for Rome film fest

ROME , Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Dozens of the world’s most popular movie stars plan to travel to Italy next month for the second annual Rome Cinema Festival.

Slated to appear during the eight-day film series are Sophia Loren, Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley, Halle Berry, Monica Bellucci, Sharon Stone, Robert Redford, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn, the Italian news agency, ANSA, reported Friday.

The festival is scheduled to run from Oct. 19-27 and will feature screenings of movies from 40 different countries, including: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," "El Pasado," "Juno," "Lions for Lambs," "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead," "Silk," "Reservation Road," "Mongol," "Things We Lost in the Fire," "Le Deuxieme Souffle" and "Youth Without Youth."

Fourteen of the movies will compete for the top Marcus Aurelius prize.

In another festival highlight, Loren will be honored with a lifetime achievement award for her body of work on the final day of the event.