RIFF and AdventHealth Share Community Conversation Film

ROME – Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) and AdventHealth Redmond are bringing a timely and compelling Community Conversations film event to Rome on Thursday, February 20, at 7 pm at The Historic DeSoto Theatre in Downtown Rome. The entirely free event includes healthy snacks for all, a showing of the documentary Bike Vessel, and a conversation featuring local leaders in healthcare, non-profit and community members who will tell their own healthcare story.

Bike Vessel is an uplifting documentary about the intersection of family, food and fitness for Black men. The documentary follows Donnie Seals and his son Eric Seals as they celebrate Donnie’s health transformation with an ambitious bike trip from St. Louis to Chicago. Along the way, they talk about Donnie’s three open heart surgeries, why Black men suffer so many heart ailments, and the importance of taking charge of your own health.

Juleun Johnson, AdventHealth’s Vice President of Mission and Ministry for the Southeast Region, will moderate the panel discussion after the film. Johnson is the mission integration leader for all AdventHealth hospitals, facilities, and entities in Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Physicians featured in the discussion include Dr. Kipp Slicker, board-certified in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Rachel Harris, board-certified in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, cardiac CTA, and cardiac MRI, both at AdventHealth Redmond. Rounding out the discussion will be Marcellous Cooke of the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia, a non-profit that seeks to model leadership for all and mentor children for their success. The 100 Black Men are also the driving force behind the Health Initiative for Men and Women. Now in its 23^rd year, the initiative provides free health screenings, education, and giveaways to all attendees.

RIFF President Jim Kelley is proud of the organization’s ability to gather different groups to present this free film event. “AdventHealth Redmond is our community leader for this film, but the event is enriched by other partners such as The Historic DeSoto Theatre, The 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia, and our national partners Indie Lens Pop-Up and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. RIFF is humbled to be in such stellar company. This film could change health outcomes for our attendees or their loved ones because it demonstrates how men can take control of their health.”

In 2024 RIFF was chosen by Indie Lens Pop Up to receive the rights to show several new documentaries before they air on Georgia Public Broadcasting later this year. In addition to the screening in Rome, RIFF is also partnering with AdventHealth Gordon and the Gem Theatre in Calhoun for a free showing on Sunday, February 23 at 3 pm.

Tickets to both events are free but those interested should make a reservation for one of a limited number of seats at riffga.com or through the link in the RIFF film event on their Facebook page, @romefilm.