“It’s not easy to play an older person,” Ernest Borgnine said. “I may be 92, but inside I’m only 16.”

The Connecticut native was in Rhode Island last week to receive the R.I. International Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award and to promote and preview his new independent film, “Another Harvest Moon.”

“See the poster,” he said. “When Dignity Means Everything.”

The wonderful movie, starring Borgnine, Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond ), Piper Laurie, Cybill Shepherd and Anne Meara was the highlight of the festival.

From movies about kids to the poignant “Another Harvest Moon,” with a little bit of everything in between, the film festival continues to be one of the best in the country.

William Shatner’s last minute cancellation put a damper on the festivities, but the appearance and overwhelming participation and presence of Borgnine, Meara and Roberts, plus Meara’s husband Jerry Stiller, more than made up for it.

Borgine had his day at the Newport Naval Base, where he was honored, and then received the key to the city and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the premiere of his new film.

The popular actors were obviously in town to promote their low-budget, independent movie about life in a nursing home, but they went out of their way to make themselves accessible both to the public and the press. And they appeared to be having a good time doing it.

At 92 years young, Borgnine is a delight. I was able to spend some time with him and reminisce about our both growing up in Hamden, Conn. and graduating from Hillhouse High School.

“I just went back to the 170th reunion, and they drove me around in a limo. Imagine that!”

Joyce, who spent 20 years as an RN in a nursing home, absolutely loved the movie. She found it very realistic, with good messages about the needs and dignity of older people.

I gave it four stars. These very funny people, who had everyone they met during their trip to Rhode Island in stitches, should have been given a few more funny lines.

They admittedly improvised a few scenes, using their own talents to liven up the plot. Roberts and Meara had a love/hate relationship in the movie, as they vied for Borgnine’s attention. Their body language and facial expressions were a riot.

Hopefully, the producers will find ways to get the movie out to the general public so it can be seen by not only senior citizens but their children and grandchildren also. There are only a handful of movies made about senior citizens. This is one of the better ones.