Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival
THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A GREAT YEAR!
The Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) ran August 7-12th at venues in Providence, Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, and across the state of Rhode Island. Screening 210 films, it is the largest film festival in New England and every year attracted more than 4,700 entries from around the world. More than 150 filmmakers descended on the state’s capital city this year. RIIFF is a magnet for those who’ve made short films because it is a qualifying event for the short film category of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2011, five of the films that premiered at RIIFF went on to receive Academy Award nominations, and two wins (“The Shore” directed by Terry George and “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” directed by William Joyce.)
The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers. RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a weeklong extravaganza. Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is noted for its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences which have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe.
This Festival was part of a year-round celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Flickers Arts Collaborative and included a retrospective look at some of the amazing programming that has taken place since 1981.
• Showcase of films and cultural activities from the Province of Québec celebrating the Jubilé Franco-Américain programming from 1994-2011 and the 18 year partnership with the Délègation du Québec, Boston and Tourism Québec. Come and meet the filmmakers from the Québec City-based Spirafilms, our long-term cinematic/cultural partners, who will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary with us;
• Return of the Rhode Island Film Forum, on Thursday, August 9th in collaboration with the RI Film & Television Office, The Providence Journal, the Harringtion School of Communication at the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University and the Blacktone Valley Tourism Council (click here to learn more).• Download the Event Program
• New focus and thrust for the annual ScriptBiz Screenplay Pitch Seminar and showcase of this year's Grand Prize Screenplay competition winner, Carla Maria Sullwold and her work: "Raising Rufus: A Maine Love Story," including booksignings at the Barrington and Providence Public Libraries (click here to learn more).
• DISCOVER RI: Walking Tour of Providence and film location sites in collaboration with the RI Historical Society and the RI Film & Television Office(click here to buy tickets and learn more).
• Retrospective of the work of noted Canadian filmmaker, Joseph Procopio whose first film premiered at RIIFF when he was eight years old. Set to take place at the KidsEye Red Carpet Premiere on Saturday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m., The Vets, Joseph will screen some of his most noted and celebrated films and speak about his journey as a filmmaker (click here to learn more).
• ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD presented to Trinity Repertory Actor, Barbara Meek, presented by Maia Farish, wife of Donald Farish, President of Roger Williams University. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding. Named after the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, who established an American tradition of religious freedom and individual liberty that was encoded in The Bill of Rights. This award honors a truly unique American whose ethics, philosophy and conscience reflects that of Roger Williams, who provided a refuge from rampant religious persecution, an open door to all people; a safe harbor in a vast sea of tyranny and oppression;
• GEORGE M. COHAN AMBASSADOR AWARD presented by Karen Bordeleau, Acting Executive Editor of the Providence Journal to arts advocate and Rhode Island College President, Nancy Carriuolo on Thursday, August 9th, 12pm at the Providence Biltmore Hotel Ballroom. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose work, passion, and drive epitomizes a level of excellence which reflects creatively on their Rhode Island roots. Named after famed Providence entertainer George M. Cohan, who legend says was born on the 4th of July, this award honors truly unique Americans who have made a timeless contribution to the arts and have inspired future generations of Rhode Islanders;
• PRODUCER'S CIRCLE AWARD presented to Assistant to the Executive Director, RI Film & Television Office, Carol Conley (Pawtucket); International Arts Advocate, Ineko Stephan (Newport); filmmakers William Smyth (Boston), Eric Latek (Providence); and former RIIFF Managing Director, Demetria J. Carr (Barrington). The event takes place on Wednesday, August 8th, 6:30 pm at The Vets. The award serves to showcase members of the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival;
• Partnership with swissnex Boston, Consulate of Switzerland and screenings of new film work;
• Celebrating its 50th Anniversary and a new partnership with the INSAS (Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle et des Techniques de diffusion), the Graduate School of Arts of the French Community of Belgium, one of the Europe's premier film institutes and screening of international student graduate thesis films. http://www.insas.be/;
• Partnership with the International Cinematographers Guild and showcase of short film winners of the Emerging Cinematographer Awards presented free at locations in Barrington and Westerly;
• Partnership programming of short films from UniFrance;
• Select films from New England filmmakers take the stage in partnership with the Woods Hole Film Festival and the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival;
• Films from Norway, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, the UK and many many more -- 51 countries will be represented in all;
• Live music programming throughout the Festival by Flickers artists;
• Expanded Youth Film Jury Screenings and programming and new partnership with RI Foundation Equity Action to expand LGBTQ youth participation;
• FUTURE FILMMAKING: Digital Documentary
Bridging Cultures: a free panel discussion and film screening as part of a grant from the RI Council for the Humanities (RICH) on Saturday, August 11th, featuring a free screening of "The War on Terror: Coming Home," and the world premiere of "The White Picket Fence Project:" (click here to learn more).
• ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD presented to Trinity Repertory Actor, Barbara Meek, presented by Maia Farish, wife of Donald Farish, President of Roger Williams University. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding. Named after the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, who established an American tradition of religious freedom and individual liberty that was encoded in The Bill of Rights. This award honors a truly unique American whose ethics, philosophy and conscience reflects that of Roger Williams, who provided a refuge from rampant religious persecution, an open door to all people; a safe harbor in a vast sea of tyranny and oppression;