Now in its 13th year, New England's largest and most prestigious festival — the Rhode
Island International Film Festival™
(RIIFF) — will take place August 4-9, 2009. Ranked as
a one of the Top 12 Film Festivals in the United
States, this world-class event will be held
at venues around Providence. It features screenings,
filmmaking workshops, meet-and-greet industry events
and seminars. Aiming to promote Rhode Island as a filmmaking
location and to celebrate the independent filmmaking
spirit, RIIFF also hosts a number of high-profile premières
and provides a showcase for international features,
documentaries, and shorts.
Founded in 1997, the Rhode Island International Film
Festival has quickly carved out a name for itself. It
accepts films of any type, in any genre and will screen this year
235 international productions. The films were shot and produced in 54 countries. Rhode Island native
Bobby Farrelly was so impressed with the festival's
debut that he held the world premiere of his next film
- There's Something About Mary - at the 1998 event.
The festival is dedicated to the creation of opportunities
for "artistic interaction and exchange among independent
filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers
and the film-going community". It is a safe haven
for all independent filmmakers - a place where they
can hide from all the overblown CGI effects
and high concept reinterpretations of classic films.
This year, RIIFF will screen amazing new work selected from over 3,300 film submissions. 100% of the RIIFF schedule is created from these
film submissions; and not culled from other festivals.
This makes for a truly dynamic event where regional
audiences discover new work and new filmmakers whose
work often overlooked.
The 13th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival
2009 promises to be a truly amazing event with major new work, expanded networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences, educational programs, an industry symposium, parties, awards, our Opening and Closing Galas, conversations with honorees, breakfast gatherings, a location tour, and a celebrity sighting here and there. We are very proud that we have created new partnerships with regional non-profit service and social organizations that will allow RIIFF and its audiences to reach out to those in need, showing how that arts can indeed have an impact. Our screenings will once again take place across the state of Rhode Island, reaching this year into nursing homes, hospitals and senior centers where we will be sharing our Festival with those who otherwise would not be part of the celebration of independent film. For more details, please click here...
RIIFF's Opening NIght Premiere and Gala Celebration
Tuesday, August 4th
The Rhode Island International Film Festival is where the voices of Independent Film are heard and stars are born. The festival weeks launches with its Opening Night Celebration on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009! Come and experience a dazzling selection of unique films from across the globe. To learn more, please click here..
Some of the 2009 Highlights:
• 235 Films from 57 countries
• 38 World Premieres / 21 United States/North American Premieres
• Thursday, August 6th: A special Festival Premiere screening of David Bettencourt and G. Wayne Miller's "On the Lake: Life and Love in a Distant Place" with a preview of their new work-in-progress: "Behind the Hedgerow." The screening will be followed by the critically acclaimed "William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet." Both films will be presented in a collaboration with the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH) and Rhode Island College.
• Friday, August 7th: Lifetime Achievement Award to actor Ernest Borgnine and premiere screening of his latest film "Another Harvest Moon," post screening party at the Federal Reserve in Providence. Retrospective of his career in film to be held during the month of August throughout the state of Rhode Island. "Another Harvest Moon" marks Mr. Borgnine’s 199th feature length film in addition to his remarkable run on television. He is also a remarkable 92 years young!
• August 5-7th:KidsEye™ International Film Festival:Films made by kids and films for kids. International and homegrown with a touch of whimsy and enlightenment
The Rhode Island International Film Festival is proud to showcase the amazing work that is being produced in our small state! A tour of film and media production studios will be held on Saturday, August 8th at 11am to 2:00pm. On the tour you will visit studios that are located in the surrounding area of Providence. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk to the designers, artists, and filmmakers of these studios. Welcoming remarks will be given by the Director of the RI Film & TV Offices, Steven Feinberg. The tour is FREE to filmmakers with a pass and open to guests for the price of $20. There is only a limited amount of space so sign up early by calling our office at 401.861.4445.
• Musical performances bythe Bobby Kyle Band, Becky Chace, Brian Minisce, Lois Vaughn Jazz Duo and Carmella Cann
August 6th:
The RIIFF Technology Forum
The modern, 21st Century filmmaker must be both an auteur and an entrepreneur – hence the rise of the “auteurpreneur,” a term coined to describe the emerging role that a filmmaker must play. Digital distribution and other dynamic technologies provide filmmakers with an array of powerful tools to use to promote and market their artistic vision.
The technology forum is a day-long series of workshops focused on the emerging marketing and distribution trends in digital and web-based technologies. Each workshop will explore a distinct topic and will be lead by a panel of professionals with expertise related to that topic. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with the workshop leaders and to ask them questions on the subject matter. To learn more, see the schedule, please click here...
August 7th:
The Rhode Island Film Forum
Here’s your chance to become involved with Rhode Island’s “stars” of the film community and filmmakers from across the globe. The one-day forum will bring together leaders of the film industry with the decision-making community leaders and historic, natural and commercial property managers of Rhode Island; plus look at what's new on the technical side of the business and how you fit in! For more information,please click here...
also that day...
2nd Annual Youth Filmmaker Festival
(part of the KidsEye Summer Filmmaking Camp & Film Festival)
August 9th:
RIFF Closing NIghty Presentation and Reception
Don't miss "HIP, HOT AND SHORT: SALUTING THE ART OF THE SHORT FILM"the Official 2009 Closing Night Presentation. It will be an amazing evening of short films from around the world, plus the premiere screening of Megastar Productions' Inc. new documentary, “The Impact of Your Choice: Breast Health Awareness, When Is Too Young?”The film was produced by Deborah Hoch.
The RIIFF Closing Night Screening will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center, 270 Broadway, Providence, RI. The reception will follow immediately at 8:00 p.m. and is hosted by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. The cost for the entire evening is $25.00. There will also be live performances by popular local musicians, Becky Chace and Brian Minisce during the reception.For more information, please click here...
