THE SYLVIA

Acclaimed artist and Rome, Georgia native Julia Knight crafted an ornate bronze statue dubbed "The Sylvia." Each year, RIFF awards Sylvia statues for Jury Award and Audience Award winning films.

Rhea Silvia, the Roman goddess of the forest, was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. 

The statue is symbolic not only because of its link to Roman mythology, but because it is also representative of the filmmaking process. An Idea is conceived. A long period of development follows that requires nurture. Finally, the idea is birthed and the film can take on a life of its own.