Maya Hawke in “Wildcat”

Maya Hawke in “Wildcat”

Credit: Photo courtesy of Rome International Film Festival

The Rome International Film Festival begins Nov. 2 in Rome, Ga, and will include a special screening of a new film from Ethan and Maya Hawke.

Wildcat, directed by Ethan and starring his daughter Maya, is a biopic about Georgia novelist Flannery O’Connor that takes place as she tries to get her first novel published. The film will play on Nov. 3 at the DeSoto Theatre, and Ethan Hawke is also scheduled to make an appearance at the festival. 

The festival will run from Nov. 2-5 and is celebrating its 20th year. According to a press release, there will be more than 125 film screenings over the long weekend. The full schedule of events can be found online.

This year the festival will expand its coverage from an annual event to hosting year-round opportunities for conversations about race, diversity, education, film, and more. According to the release, the festival has partnered with Berry College to present six documentaries throughout the year that highlight issues facing the region. Festival and local leaders have also created a study committee to explore ways to bring more film production to Northwest Georgia.

“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,” said Leanne Cook, executive director of the Rome International Film Festival, in the release. 

Passes for the Rome International Film Festival can be purchased online.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta. 

Tags: Georgia  Rome  film  Flannery O'Connor