Rome International Film Festival Kicks High Gear: Less Than Three Weeks Until Rome is Ready for our Closeup

November 2-5 2023, the 20th Anniversary of the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) will again bring the best independent cinema, most amazing after-parties, close-up-ready red- carpet walks, and intelligent film discussions to Floyd County. RIFF, which generates more than $500,000 in direct revenue and brings thousands of visitors to Rome annually, also has a few fun additions this year to celebrate our birthday. More information and ticket options are being added to riffga.com each week, so check regularly for the latest updates.

First Day of Festival Brings Film Executives Throughout Georgia to Rome:

Executives from the gaming, film and television industries will be in Rome on the first day of the Festival, November 2, to kick off the Rome edition of a statewide program sponsored by Georgia Entertainment News and RIFF. 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. Other cities in the Roadshow include Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, Augusta and Athens. Anyone can register to attend the Rome event via georgiaentertainment.com

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 door to the DeSoto. There state leaders in film and digital media will be able to meet with Floyd County business and civic leaders. 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.

Downtown Rome Transforms into the Movie Palace District:

Centered around downtown theaters The Rome City Auditorium and the DeSoto, RIFF will also turn nearby PAM Studio into a black box theatre so that three venues can tempt movie lovers with documentaries, shorts, films featuring big-name stars, cartoons, classic films remembered fondly from decades ago, and student efforts. The City of Rome, The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation and PAM Studios have all partnered with RIFF to provide these venues to the Festival. Local business Stacked Hearts Productions, an award-winning high level production partner for large events of all kinds, will become the RIFF Box Office beginning Thursday November 2 at noon. The Seven Hills Building right next to the DeSoto will also be used for several events throughout the weekend, as will the Six-0-Eight events space right 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. “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.”

The Best Independent Films From Georgia, and the World:

There are more than 10 categories into which films could be submitted, and this year more than 400 films from 48 countries are vying for RIFF’s coveted RIFF Sylvia Awards, given annually to the best films chosen by an international panel of jurors with expertise in all aspects of filmmaking. Jurors this year include a great variety of national filmmakers, local film lovers and experts, and industry experts. Actors such as Ethan Embry of films That Thing You Do and Sweet Home Alabama, and Sunny Mabry who has acted in Snakes on a Plane and Hillbilly Elegy will partner with actor and producer Trevor Duke-Moretz of Alias, and local videographer/photographer Ryan Simmons, among others. “Jurors are a very important part of an independent film festival because they award what they consider the best 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 like best.”

Tickets For Every Taste -- Fun Films and Parties are a Perfect Pairing:

As is the RIFF tradition, every night of the Festival there will be parties for those who wish to purchase tickets for both. From the signature OTR Wheel Roaring 20’s Speakeasy held on Broad Street Friday night, to a BBQ event at Blossom Hill, and Closing Night Casual at the Canoe House, RIFF soirees are reasons to don festive creative attire and enjoy excellent food, exceptional adult beverages, sparking conversations at the bar, and atmosphere-enhancing music. There are also day tickets and tickets just for films and seminars. Students always receive their tickets for $25 with a valid student ID. A variety of film packages, including those that include the RIFF parties, are on sale at riffga.com.