Some 125 films later, the Rome International Film Festival closed Sunday with planners and filmgoers saying they were pleased about its content and turnout.
“We feel our numbers are strong, and this is probably our strongest ever film roster,” said Harry Musselwhite, creative/programming director.
“It also ran on time from beginning to end.”
Allen Bell, marketing director, said while he had no firm numbers, anecdotal evidence showed attendance was up from last year. Barry Norman, executive director and founder, agreed.
“In the time slots you wouldn’t normally get people, like 11 a.m. Sunday and Friday, that are typically nothing had a good showing,” said Norman.
“Our reputation is growing in the national media, and as filmmakers talk with each other, the films just reach another level.
“This year was definitely our best yet as our reputation grows, better films bring better films and more people come to see them,” Norman added, saying work on next year’s RIFF begins immediately. “It just went really well.”
Filmgoers also praised the content.
“It was absolutely superb, and I can’t wait till next year,” said Leigh Callan of Rome. “It was just amazing how creative and how powerful the subject matter of so many films was.”
Callan, who saw 12 films, said she was subtly impressed with “Low and Behold,” a story about a young man who arrives in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans to be an insurance claims adjuster. The film won best narrative feature in the festival.
“It dealt with the subject of Katrina, but rather than a documentary,” said Callan, “it really gave you characters to explore and helps you to really feel what the aftermath was.”
Tony Barber said he got the autograph of every filmmaker attending the event.
“It really gives me the chance to strike up conversations, and last year I got to pal around with three of the filmmakers and show them around,” said the self-proclaimed film buff. “The quality of films here is excellent, from one extreme to the other.”
Musselwhite said that quality made it hard to choose the jury’s awards, but the festival awarded seven jury awards and two audience choice awards.
AWARDS
Jury awards
Animation: “A Garota,” Fernando Pinheiro, Brazil
American Documentary: “Monster Camp,” Cullen Hoback
International Documentary: “Born Again Buddhists,” Lian Pak from Australia/Singapore
Experimental: “DVD,” Ciro Altabas, Spain
Narrative American Short: “Blue Dress,” Katie Stern
Narrative International Short: “Happy Pizza,” Shuhei Fukunaga, Japan
Narrative Feature: “Low and Behold,” Zach Godshall, USA
Audience choice awards
Best Feature: “Greensboro: Closer to the Truth,” Adam Zucker, USA
Narrative Short: “Swimming to the Moon,” Greg Thompson, USA
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