SCREENINGS, PARTIES, WORKSHOPS, RED CARPETS
Rome International Film Festival celebrates 20 years
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT the Rome International Film Festival is now in its 20th year. For two decades the event has been bringing award-winning films to Rome. But there are lots of other things that come along with the films. There are parties, panel discussions and of course a few big names from the entertainment industry.
And all this generates more than $500,000 in direct revenue to the county and brings thousands of visitors to Rome each year just for the festivities.
This year’s RIFF, which runs Nov. 2-5, will return with what promises to be stellar independent cinema and organizers say “the most amazing after-parties” as well as red carpet walks and intelligent film discussions.
FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT EXECS
Executives from the gaming, film and television industries will be in Rome on the first day of the Festival, Nov. 2, to kick off the Rome edition of a statewide program sponsored by Georgia Entertainment News
and RIFF, with additional support from the Rome Floyd Chamber and Georgia’s Rome Tourism.
The “Georgia Entertainment Unscripted Roadshow” will highlight Georgia’s creative business economy and the impact of the entertainment industry around the state. The agenda for each event will focus on education and workforce development, local private/public collaboration and businesses participating in the growth of the
creative economy.
After the Roadshow, RIFF has partnered with the Rome-Floyd Chamber to host their monthly Business After Hours event at the 7-Hills space next to the DeSoto Theatre. During the party, Floyd County business and civic leaders will be able to mix with state leaders in film and digital media.
The party is open to all Rome-Floyd Chamber members, and more information is available at romega.com/events. During the Chamber event, the red carpet will roll out in front of the DeSoto, in preparation for the first films of the weekend, set to show Thursday evening.
BROAD STREET BECOMES MOVIE PALACE DISTRICT
The screenings that will take place throughout the festival weekend will be centered around a couple downtown venues — the DeSoto Theatre and the Rome City Auditorium.
RIFF will also turn nearby PAM Studios into a black box theatre so that three venues can tempt movie lovers with documentaries, shorts, indie films featuring big-name stars, cartoons, classic films remembered fondly from decades ago, and student efforts.
Local business, Stacked Hearts Productions, will become the RIFF Box Office beginning Thursday, Nov. 2 at noon.
The Seven Hills Building next to the DeSoto will also be used for several events throughout the weekend. So will the Six-0Eight events space next to Canoe House on
Broad Street. Several hotels will also host visitors in town for the Festival, including Hawthorne Suites and the Courtyard Rome Riverwalk and Fairfield by Marriott at Berry College’s Rome Tennis Center.
“We are expecting more than 1,000 visitors over the weekend coming into town just for the Festival,” said Leanne Cook, RIFF executive director. “We want them to enjoy Rome — and of course to buy lots of great meals, meet friends out for drinks, and stop by a shop to pick up a new dress, pair of earrings, or maybe grab a quick haircut so they’ll be red-carpet-ready and our local businesses will hear the cash register ring.”
INDIE FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD...AND AROUND THE STATE
With more than 10 categories into which filmmakers could submit entries for the festival, more than 400 films from 48 countries are trying to grab RIFF’s coveted RIFF Sylvia Awards, given annually to the best films chosen by an international panel of jurors.
This year’s jurors — who watch the films and then meet to discuss them — are comprised of national filmmakers, local film buffs as well as industry experts.
Actors such as Ethan Embry, best known for roles in “That Thing You Do” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” and Sunny Mabry who has appeared in “Snakes on a Plane and Hillbilly Elegy” will partner with actor/producer Trevor DukeMoretz of “Alias,” and local videographer/photographer Ryan Simmons of Brand Red, among others, to choose the best films at RIFF 2023.
“Jurors are a very important part of an independent film festival because they award what they consider the top in various categories, and it helps films get attention and eventual distribution, said Seth Ingram, creative director of RIFF. “We also have an audience choice award that all our attendees vote on which is a reflection of the films our local community enjoyed the most.”
MINGLE AND MUNCH, PARTIES AND PUNCH
Films are a very important part — but not the only part — of RIFF. Organizers want guests to be able to enjoy more than just what’s on the screen. They’ve made sure there’s plenty of opportunities to schmooze and party with other guests, celebs and industry folk by planning a party for each night of the festival.
You just have to choose what’s more your style. Is it the OTR Wheel Roaring 20s Speakeasy taking place on Broad Street Friday night? Or will it be a barbecue event at Blossom Hill followed by a Closing Night Casual at the Canoe House’s Six-0-Eight? All of the above?
This is your chance to dress up, dress down, enjoy food and cocktails and mingle with movers and shakers in the entertainment world.
PASSES AND PACKAGES
Passes and packages are available online now at riffga.com. Here’s a breakdown:
Classic Festival Pass, $175 — access to all films, panels and official festival parties.
Weekend Films & Workshops Only, $75 — access to all films and panels. No access to official Festival parties.
Next20 Patron Pass, $200 — Reserved seating at all films, panels and official Festival parties. Invitations to exclusive NEXT20 Patron events throughout the year and during the Festival. Use of the VIP room throughout the Festival.
Nov. 2 Film & Party Pass, $120 — All films and panels and the official Festival party — Thursday only.
Nov. 3 Film & Party Pass, $120 — All films and panels and the official Festival party — Friday only.
Nov. 4 Film & Party Pass, $120 — All films and panels and the official Festival party — Saturday only.
Nov. 5 Film & Party Pass, $120 — All films and panels and the official Festival party — Sunday only.
Student Pass Films & Workshops Only, $25 — You must have a valid student ID with you when you use this pass. Films and panels only. This pass does not include parties.