Susan Sarandon will receive the Womenlands Excellence Award at Rome Film Festival’s Alice in the City sidebar, which focuses on films for children and young people. She will also promote the international premiere of Zach Woods’ feature debut, The Accompanist, in which she plays a first-time foster parent caring for an eight-year-old girl.

The festival praised Sarandon’s decades-long career and her portrayals of women challenging social rules, power and expectations. The award recognises her work in culture, entertainment and activism; previous recipients include Paz Vega, Nastassja Kinski and Laura Luchetti. Sarandon has also said she believes Hollywood has shunned her because of her outspoken support for Palestine.