RIFF's Free Summer Film Series Screening 'In The Heights'

The Rome International Film Festival is hosting a free screening of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical film “In The Heights” July 16 at the Rome City Auditorium.

The screening will begin at 7 p.m. and is a partnership with the City of Rome and One Community United. It’s part of RIFF’s Summer Film Series.

The 2021 movie follows the life of bodega owner Usnavi as he makes a decision to either sell his bodega and move to the Dominican Republic or stay in Washington Heights. The film features music and dancing.

RIFF Executive Director Leanne Cook said the film was chosen because it touches on important issues while being safe for families to watch.

“It’s a great one for One Community United to do this with us because it’s all about a sort of racially and age-diverse population of people who live in Washington Heights of New York and how their lives intersect,” Cook said. “People can find themselves in this story anywhere.”

One Community United is a nonpartisan organization created by Rome and Floyd County residents to “reach across lines of division” in the community.

The nonprofit organization partners with RIFF every year and Cook said they try to show films that will not only entertain but start conversations within the community.

Cook said the city was quick to join in the partnership. With the three groups partnering they’re able to have a greater impact.

The screenings are always held downtown, not only for the venue but for the surrounding retailers and restaurants. Cook said when she organizes these screenings, she wants them to have a large impact on the community. By showing films at the auditorium on Broad Street they are encouraging patrons to shop local and patronize downtown businesses.

“We know that our home is here, and our retailers and our restaurants are our partners even if they are not partnering actually,” Cook said. “We’re all just working together to make downtown a great place to stay and live.”

While the screening is free, RIFF will accept donations and sell concessions at the event.

Cook was excited to share that this year One Community United will provide special concessions on theme with the film.

“One Community United has a lot of connections in the Latinx community so they are working with some of their members to bring some neat things like unusual concessions that have a Latinx flavor,” she said.

Last year’s film theme was “Made in Rome,” and they showed three movies filmed locally. This year’s theme is international musicals. The next film scheduled is “Bob Marley: One Love,” which will be shown on Aug. 13 at the Rome City Auditorium.

All proceeds will go towards funding this year’s Rome International Film Festival, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.