November 14, 2021–6:15 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

Actor, writer, and director Billy Bob Thornton was in Rome Sunday.

Thornton was in town for the Rome International Film Festival and a special 25th-anniversary screening of the film “Sling Blade” which won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay.

During a discussion prior to the screening, the Arkansas native spoke about his love of southern literature and the importance of history in storytelling.

Thornton, who was also presented the inaugural Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling at the festival, spoke about his love of southern literature.

Another actor was honored on Saturday.

Mario Van Peebles received the inaugural Melvin Van Peebles award at the festival, named after his father, the Godfather of African American film.