The Rome International Film Festival returns to downtown Rome, GA, November 5–8, 2026, opening Thursday with a 6:15 p.m. red carpet outside the Historic DeSoto Theatre and a 7:15 p.m. screening of The Accountant with special guest Ray McKinnon.

For four days, the next good story may be waiting inside a theater rather than on your television. Screenings and conversations also take place at Rome City Auditorium, SPAM Studios and Screen 417.

Danny McBride, this year’s Flannery O’Connor Award honoree, gives comedy fans an obvious entry point. Visiting filmmakers, independent features, documentaries and regional shorts offer plenty of other reasons to head downtown.

Friday expands the program, Saturday brings McBride appearances with event-specific admission terms, and Sunday closes with awards, films and a Dolly Parton tribute concert.

This preview highlights the weekend’s draws before you choose individual screenings. Check the official RIFF schedule for current venues, times and reservations.

Opening night belongs to Ray McKinnon and The Accountant, the Academy Award-winning short scheduled for Thursday, November 5, at 7:15 p.m. at the Historic DeSoto Theatre.

It is a welcome reminder that a film does not need a feature-length running time to leave a lasting impression.

Thursday's red carpet begins outside the DeSoto at 6:15 p.m., followed later by the 9:15 p.m. after-dark shorts program, Wise Blood & Broken Bones.

Friday widens the choices with narrative, animated, international and documentary shorts, alongside conversations about filmmaking and true crime.

The evening brings Jared and Jerusha Hess as special guests for Don Verdean at the Rome City Auditorium, while How to Feed a Dictator screens at the DeSoto.

Those screenings start only five minutes apart, so that part of the weekend calls for a choice rather than an ambitious attempt to attend both.

Saturday puts McBride at the center of two distinct events: a 10:30 a.m. conversation at SPAM Studios and a 7:15 p.m. screening and Q&A.

The morning conversation has special admission restrictions, and the evening program still has screening selections and a venue awaiting announcement.

Treat those details as something to confirm before buying or planning around a particular ticket.

Sunday changes the rhythm with awards and biscuits, more shorts, Frogtown and a closing concert celebrating Dolly Parton's music.

Rome Remembers Dolly is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium, with Whiskey Revival and regional singers performing the tribute.

The appeal is the range: one weekend can move from an intimate short film to a filmmaker conversation to a room full of familiar songs.

First-time visitors should pick one must-see event, then leave room for a program they would not normally choose.

Passholders still need screening reservations, and the festival asks guests to be seated 15 minutes before an event begins.

Check the current schedule and each event's admission details as November approaches, because a carefully planned film weekend works best when the plan can change.

See the official RIFF schedule for updates.

For Tickets click HERE.