CBS is looking for a big New York star to anchor its upcoming Sept. 11 documentary and downtown movie maestro Robert DeNiro tops the network’s short list of potential hosts.

The film, shot and edited by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet will feature never before seen footage from inside the lobby of the World Trade Center’s North Tower after it had been hit by a hijacked jet airliner, airs March 10.

CBS execs say the two-hour special, overseen by “48 Hours” executive producer Susan Zirinsky, will be used to solicit funds for the Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund and is not associated with the network’s news division because of the charity angle .

DiNiro’s name surfaced yesterday as a potential host in the New York Observer.

Other potential hosts could include former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a source said, but CBS reps would not confirm who the network planned to approach about the job.

A source close to the project said the producers are looking for a serious host with major “movie-caliber” star power.

“This thing is going to be handled with the utmost respect and whoever is the host is going to feel right,” a network source said.

CBS also is apparently shying away from its news stars like Dan Rather or Mike Wallace.

De Niro, 58, and a New York native, appears to be sensible option for the job. The actor lives in Tribeca and since Sept. 11, has been particularly active in supporting to charitable causes related to the attack.

One insider said that CBS is being especially careful with its casting in order to avoid the kind of awkward scenario ABC News found itself in two years ago when the network sent film star Leonardo DiCaprio to the White House to interview former President Bill Clinton.