Rome International Film Festival (RIFF), running from November 2-5, 2023, will feature a special screening of Ethan and Maya Hawke’s new movie, Wildcat. Ethan is the director while Maya portrays Flannery O’Connor in the biopic following the renowned novelist and Georgia-native in her pursuit to publish her first book. The screening will take place at the DeSoto Theater on November 3 with Ethan Hawke in attendance. 

This is just one facet of RIFF’s scheduled programming as it enters its 20th year celebrating film in northwest Georgia. Over 125 films, shorts, and documentaries will be screened, and festival runners are excited to announce a partnership with Berry College to host year-round screening of documentaries that encourage thoughtful discussion concerning race, education, diversity, and more.

“Our 20th Anniversary provided an opportunity to contemplate RIFF’s future, and we are committing even more strongly to being an uplifting presence in the community for discussing important issues and furthering the cause of education, both through the lens of film, which can be a lever for open conversation and potentially a more stable economic future due to higher-paying jobs,” explained RIFF’s Executive Director, Leanne Cook.