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Georgia Native Danny McBride To Be Honored With Rome Int’l Film Fest’s Flannery O’Connor Award
Georgia-born actor and writer Danny McBride will receive the Rome International Film Festival's 2026 Flannery O'Connor Award, honouring artists whose work captures the spirit of Southern storytelling. He will collect the accolade at the Georgia festival's 23rd edition, held from 5 to 8 November, and will also take part in a career retrospective and live "In Conversation" masterclass.
McBride, from Statesboro, Georgia, is best known for co-creating and starring in HBO's Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones, alongside film roles in Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder and This Is the End. He was nominated by 2025 award recipient Jerusha Hess and becomes the sixth person, and first Georgia-born filmmaker, to receive the honour, following Billy Bob Thornton, Ethan Hawke, Maya Hawke, Tim Blake Nelson and Hess. The news comes as McBride's debut book, Thrilling Tales of Modern Men, has hit the New York Times bestseller list, and he has been announced as writer of Paramount's next G.I. Joe film.
In short
- Danny McBride to receive Rome Film Fest's 2026 Flannery O'Connor Award
- First Georgia-born filmmaker honoured; festival runs 5-8 November
- Comes amid bestselling book and new G.I. Joe writing gig
Explained simply
Danny McBride is an actor and writer from Statesboro, Georgia, best known for creating and starring in the HBO television series Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones. He has also appeared in films including Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder and This Is the End, and has recently published a bestselling book.
The Flannery O'Connor Award, presented by the Rome International Film Festival in Georgia, honours artists whose work captures the spirit of Southern storytelling. It is named after Flannery O'Connor, an acclaimed American writer from Georgia known for her distinctive stories exploring Southern culture and character.
The award recognises works that authentically portray Southern narratives and traditions. Previous recipients have included notable figures such as Billy Bob Thornton and Ethan Hawke, reflecting its standing as recognition of influential voices in American cinema and literature.
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