Photos Andy Calvert and RIFF
The 21st Rome International Film Festival: A Spirited Celebration of Southern Cinema
Downtown Rome, Georgia, is about to explode with film, music, and all the wild-eyed revelry that comes with the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF). This year, the festival turns 21—old enough to legally drink, though it’s been serving up cinematic libations and Southern grit long before the law caught up. No one said it, but you can bet they thought it: “The little festival that could, keeps chugging along.” From October 31st to November 3rd, 2024, the sleepy riverside town will transform into a film mecca, where creativity flows as freely as moonshine, and the love of cinema bleeds through the streets like the end of a good horror flick.
But before we dive into the madness, let’s take a step back. The Rome International Film Festival is no ordinary film fest. It’s got that same Southern charm, slow drawl, and laid-back hospitality, but underneath it all lies the heart of a wolf that never stops striving for more. It could be Romulus or Remus, who knows? Founded in 2003, RIFF was a bold bet that a small Georgia town could host a festival worth noticing. Now, after two decades of uphill battles, it’s a contender, pulling in talent from Hollywood to Bollywood and everywhere in between. It’s a celebration of Georgia-made films, the Southern Gothic spirit, and a healthy dose of mischief. It’s pure, unfiltered RIFF.
This year, they’re kicking things off with a Halloween soft opening. You heard that right—RIFF is jumping on the spooky train, and they’re doing it with a vengeance. And why not? Film and horror go together like bacon and eggs. There’s a lot to love about a Halloween opening night — especially when it involves a 40-ish anniversary screening of Gremlins. Yes, Gremlins, that fever dream of ‘80s absurdity, will be back on the big screen to remind us that puppets can, in fact, wreak glorious havoc. Leading the charge is Zach Galligan, the actor who brought Billy to life and kept those little monsters in check (well, mostly). He’s sticking around for a Q&A afterward, so fans can grill him on everything from gizmo puppetry to the questions about what it was like to work with RIFF alumni Judge Reinhold in that bank scene.
It doesn’t stop there. The University of West Georgia and Georgia Highlands College are throwing a Halloween film race—a cinematic gladiatorial event for students who’ve drawn subgenres of horror and are forced to churn out a five-minute film in under a week. Their masterpieces will screen at the Rome City Auditorium at 6:15 p.m., a far cry from the usual collegiate film classes where deadlines can be pushed, and creativity flows lazily. No sir, this is the real deal. Five minutes, one week, and an audience eager for thrills, chills, and the next wave of student auteurs.
Later that night, RIFF turns up the Southern charm (with a side of terror) in an after-dark shorts block featuring Georgia-made films. This is where you see the deep-rooted talent of the state come alive, all under the shadow of the old brick and former cobblestone streets of old Rome, Georgia. Among the films is Honk, also starring Zach Galligan, making him the unofficial king of RIFF Halloween. And for those who still have energy (or simply refuse to sleep), the night will cap with an after-party at The Vogue. The word on the street is it’ll be as raucous as it is refined, blending the festival’s indie spirit with Southern hospitality. Oh wait… did we mention a red carpet in your favorite Halloween costume!!
By Friday, November 1st, the festival shifts gears from Halloween frights to serious film culture. The morning is packed with industry panels and workshops where filmmakers, screenwriters, and the occasional wide-eyed dreamers talk shop and maybe—just maybe—find that elusive ticket to the next big project. The day rolls on with more screenings, but the main event is the “official” Opening Night Festivities. This year’s marquee feature is Bob Trevino Likes It, a festival darling that stars John Leguizamo, Barbie Ferreira, and the delightfully offbeat French Stewart. French Stewart will be in the house for a Q&A, and if you’ve never experienced his brand of quirky, unfiltered wit, you’re in for a treat. The opener will set the tone for the festival—an unapologetic celebration of creative voices that zig where others zag.
Saturday, November 2nd, is all gas, no brakes. Four screening venues will run all day, offering up everything from hard-hitting documentaries to indie gems that’ll make you question why you haven’t quit your day job to pursue filmmaking (or at least watch better films). The Latin-focused film day is an exciting addition, pushing the boundaries of what Southern cinema can be and offering a global perspective right in the heart of Georgia.
But for many, the highlight will be the Georgia premiere of Bang Bang, starring none other than RIFF alumnus Tim Blake Nelson, a man whose Americana roots run as deep as RIFF’s. Acclaimed Director Vincent Grashaw will be on hand, too, so you can pick their brains about the intricacies of making movies in today’s chaotic landscape. Spoiler alert: it’s not all glitz and glamor, but it sure is stunning when it hits right.
After the premiere, it’s time for the after-party, where the 88s—known for playing the theme song of the hit show Community—will light up Blossom Hill. Imagine this: indie filmmakers, Hollywood veterans, and Georgia’s finest all under the same night sky, the air thick with laughter, booze, and the electric hum of creative energy. It’s the kind of party that leaves you blurry-eyed but inspired, convinced that cinema is the only thing that really matters.
And just when you think you’ve hit the peak, Sunday arrives, bringing with it another packed day of screenings and events. One of the highlights will be Break Up Season, a Georgia-produced film that stars Chandler Riggs of The Walking Dead fame. Riggs is another Georgia native who’s making waves beyond the zombie apocalypse, and his presence in this festival signals that Georgia isn’t just the land of peach farms and Southern charm—it’s a bona fide breeding ground for talent.
But the real heart of Sunday is the presentation of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling. This year’s recipient is Tim Blake Nelson, a man who’s no stranger to cinematic Southern Gothic tales. The award has become synonymous with RIFF and is a coveted prize for storytellers who embrace the rich, complex, often dark layers of Southern culture. Previous recipients include heavyweights like Billy Bob Thornton, Maya Hawke, and Ethan Hawke, with last year’s award presented by none other than the legendary Francis Ford Coppola. It’s an award with prestige, but also with heart—much like the festival itself.
And if you’ve somehow still got energy after all that, RIFF will close with a performance by the Rome Music Collective, who’ll be performing the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Fitting, right? After all, the film starred Tim Blake Nelson, and it’s only proper to close this wild weekend with a nod to a film that perfectly captures the festival’s ethos: a celebration of storytelling, of Southern roots, of art that stands the test of time.
So grab your passes, pack your bags, and prepare for one hell of a weekend in Rome, Georgia. The Rome International Film Festival promises to be another chapter in the gritty, glorious history of Southern cinema — and maybe even leave you with a little cinematic mischief in your own heart. For more details and tickets, head over to RIFFGA.com.
