Rome International Film Festival superlatives

The DeSoto Theatre in Rome. (Image from www.romeinternationalfilmfestival.com)

It has taken much longer to write about everything that went down at RIFF than it actually took for RIFF to happen. Here we are, 8 feature and 24 short reviews later, wrapping up with the best of the Rome International Film Festival. These are my personal picks and I include short films in the mix for the general categories.

RIFF: "Heathens and Thieves" (****)

Gwendoline Yeo stars in "Heathens and Thieves"

"Heathens and Thieves" seems to be misplaced among its counterparts on the indie festival circuit. I don't say that to the film's detriment, however. This movie is sleek, shiny and ready for the big time. Despite the excellent technical achievements that abound in "Heathens and Theives," the film hasn't made it to your local multiplex and you haven't seen any 30-second TV spots when you tune into "Modern Family" or "Breaking Bad." Standing out in a sea of grit and soul, "Heathens and Thieves" is a shimmering Hollywood western that is worthy of the mainstream spotlight, but has found comfort in the embrace of the independent community.

2012 Rome International Film Festival in review

The DeSoto Theatre marquee.

I had a great time up in Rome this weekend. Bookended with great films, the 9th Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) was filled to the brim with quality features, docs and shorts. Fourteen different countries were represented and several filmmakers, producers, actors and industry tradesmen were in attendance. Great venues situated among a vibrant downtown scene really gave the fest a cosmopolitan, but cozy vibe. It is easy to see why RIFF has a great reputation, even among the older and larger festivals.

You've already seen the reviews I posted for "American Songwriter" and "Born & Raised." Starting this week, I'll be posting reviews for more features from the fest, including "Lessons in Forgetting," "Out on a Limb," "Hombre y Tierra," "La Source," "The Red Machine" and "Heathens & Thieves." In addition to these features, I'll share brief reviews for over two dozen of the short films I screened.

Keep checking back for more RIFF coverage. I've posted some photos from around town after the jump.

2012 Rome International Film Festival preview

The 2012 Rome International Film Festival will kick off in four weeks, marking the festival's ninth run since it was founded in 2004. Located 70 miles northwest of Atlanta, Rome's scenic beauty is a perfect accompaniment for what MovieMaker Magazine called one of "20 film festivals worth the entrance fee." In fact, I would say it values a bit higher than the entrance fee. Tickets are only $6 per film block ($2 for students) or $25 for a day pass.

We've highlighted the opening and closing night films after the jump!