Southeast Premieres, International Titles Abound in 22nd Rome International Film Festival in NW Ga. Nov. 6-9

Organizers of the 22nd Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) have finalized the lineup of film screenings coming to historic downtown Rome, Ga., Nov. 6-9.

Scheduled for opening night: “Signing Tony Raymond,” a filmed in Georgia thrill ride set in modern-day college football recruiting in the era of NIL, directed by Glen Owen, produced by Champ Bailey and starring Michael Mosley, Mira Sorvino and Rob Morgan. The film and its state premiere at downtown Rome’s historic DeSoto Theatre showcase the strength of the Peach State’s independent film industry.

“This year RIFF is presenting a special focus on Georgia productions while continuing to showcase independent film voices from around the world,” said RIFF Creative Director Seth Ingram.

RIFF 2025 also announced the festival will present the U.S. premiere of “Lone Samurai,” regarding a violent Japanese warrior marooned on a desolate island where his meditation and madness begin to blur. Directed by Josh C. Waller, the premiere is set for DeSoto Theatre on Nov. 8.

“This screening marks one of the biggest film announcements of RIFF 2025 and promises to be a centerpiece of the festival,” said Ingram.

Saturday evening also features a special festival collaboration with Rome Symphony Orchestra, the South’s oldest symphony, blending cinema, science and live performance to present the visual and aural “Black Hole Symphony” with the Multiverse Concert Series and The Museum of Science, Boston, at Rome City Auditorium.

RIFF also announced that writer and producer Jerusha Hess is the 2025 recipient of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling on Nov. 7 presented to her by actor, producer and director Tim Blake Nelson, last year’s recipient of the honor. Hess is known as co-writer and executive producer for the award-winning film “Napoleon Dynamite” as well as writer on “Nacho Libre” as well as the upcoming “Nicktoons: The Movie” directed by her main film and life collaborator, husband Jared Hess, also scheduled to appear at the awards presentation.

RIFF’s curated lineup of film premieres, thought-provoking discussions and celebrity appearances includes selected films from 18 nations, with a focus on Latino filmmakers on Nov. 8. RIFF 2025 welcomes filmmakers from the Bahamas, Great Britain, Israel and Italy as well as South and Central America. RIFF partners with Cinema South Festival in Southern Israel to present highlights from Sapir University student productions. This year’s festival jurors include French Stewart, Ethan Embry, Sonny Mabry, Brad Carter, Rowena Portier-Sutherland and other distinguished names to be announced.

Sunday’s the festival wraps up with a “Champagne Jam” performance by Georgia’s own Atlanta Rhythm Section.

“From the premieres of ‘Signing Tony Raymond’ and ‘Lone Samurai’ to a concert with ARS, RIFF celebrates hometown and home state talent and international artists,” said Ingram. “Be on the lookout for the full schedule to be revealed on the lead-up to Nov. 6.”

The complete schedule with festival passes (now available) and individual ticket options will appear at RIFFGA.com and through the Rome International Film Festival app. Previously noted or additional RIFF 2025 highlights include:

• A free presentation of international short films and a special screening to highlight Ken Burns’ new series “American Revolution,” including a panel discussion in collaboration with Georgia Highlands College and GPB via this link: https://www.gpb.org/events/community/2025/11/05/american-revolution-screening-and-discussion-the-rome-international
• Opening night state premiere of “Signing Tony Raymond” directed by Glen Owen and produced by Souther Ilsle Pictures, special sponsors of RIFF 2025, as well as NFL Hall of Famer/University of Georgia legend Champ Bailey, at DeSoto Theatre Nov. 6
• Special industry event co-hosted by RIFF 2025 and Georgia Entertainment, underscoring the festival’s commitment to strengthening the state’s role as a national hub for film
• Presentation of the 2025 Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling to writer and producer Jerusha Hess, presented to her by Tim Blake Nelson, with Jerusha’s husband Jess Hess scheduled to attend on Nov. 7
• Latin Voices panel discussion in downtown Rome, Ga., on Nov. 8
• U.S. premiere of “Lone Samurai” directed by Josh C. Waller at DeSoto Theatre on Nov. 8
• Daily feature panels, student collaborations, live music and TBA special events for RIFF badge holders.
• Made in Georgia films including “Fried Chicken Day,” “Remote,” “American Deadbolt,” “We’re So Dead,” “While It Lasts” and “On The End” starring Tim Blake Nelson, Mireille Enos and Anna Chlumsky on Nov. 8
• Closing night concert with Georgia’s own Atlanta Rhythm Section, including ARS keyboardist and Rome, Ga., resident Lee Sheely at Rome City Auditorium Nov. 9

"From over 545 entries, our 22nd Rome International Film Festival evaluation team selected 80 titles for RIFF 2025,” said Ingram. “Recognizing Jerusha Hess with the third Flannery O’Connor Award builds on traditions established with recipients Ethan Hawke, Maya Hawke and Tim Blake Nelson.”

Day passes on sale now range from $65 to $140, and weekend passes from $125 to $250 are also now available at RIFFGA.com, offering different ticket options to suit every film lover’s festival experience. Individual tickets will go on sale Oct. 1.

In addition to the Flannery O’Connor Award, RIFF also bestows honors for the categories narrative feature, narrative short, international (non-USA, non-Canada) short, Latin, documentary feature, animated, and “horror-messed-up-after-dark-schlock-something completely different.” The festival team also presents the Shay Bentley Griffin Award for best acting performance, and special jury awards.

The Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) is a 501c3 nonprofit located in Northwest Georgia. RIFF welcomes films and filmmakers from around the globe to share the art of independent film with regional audiences, to entertain and enlighten festival attendees, to provide filmmakers with the opportunity for professional networking and development, and to encourage cultural tourism, film industry and economic development in Rome, Ga., and the surrounding area. “This festival ... in this town ... amazing. The people in Rome, Georgia, are why we make films,” said Ethan Hawke while participating in the 2023 Rome International Film Festival. Last year, Tim Blake Nelson added praise for RIFF’s hometown while stating, “I think that Rome, Georgia, is the most exciting town in the South.” RIFF is well-known for showcasing breakthrough artists, from local Georgians to international filmmakers, including Burt Reynolds, Danielle Deadwyler, Hawke, Nelson and Billy Bob Thorton. For more information, visit RIFFGa.com, follow or like on Instagram and Facebook @RomeFilm.