Rhode Island International Film Festival PO
Box 162 Newport, RI 02840 USA Street Address:
96 Second Street, Newport, RI 02840 Office: 268 Broadway, Providence, RI
02903 401/861-4445
fax: 401/490-6735 info@film-festival.org
• When is the Rhode
Island International Film Festival?
The 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival will
take place Tuesday, August 5th through Sunday, August 10th.
•
Where does the festival take place?
RIIFF takes place in venues around the Rhode Island
area. It is the only United States Festival that is
truly statewide in its presentation. 2007 screenings
were held at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center, the Providence Performing Arts Center, the
Cable Car Cinema, the Feinstein IMAX, the Providence
Place Showcase, Roger Williams University, the University
of Rhode Island Feinstein Campus Theatre, and satellite
screenings in Westerly, Kingston, Newport, Bristol,
Barrington, Pawtucket and Cranston. Panel discussions
in 2008 will be held at the select sites in the city of Providence.
Parties will be held at the Biltmore Hotel, the Providence
Performing Arts Center, the Music Mansion, the Federal
Reserve, the Columbus Theatre and other sites throughout
the capital city.
• Who can attend
the Festival?
The Festival attracts a huge spectrum of audiences from
New England and across the globe. This year, we anticipate
over 24,000 attendees. Everyone is welcome to attend.
•
What kind of films will I see?
The festival shows independent narrative features, documentaries,
and shorts from around the world. We promise that these
aren't the Hollywood films at the local multiplex. These
are independent films that you may not have the opportunity
to see anywhere else. Many will have their world premiere
with RIIFF.
• How do you choose the films you show?
Filmmakers submit their films to the festival. Every
submission is viewed by at least three members of the
Program Committee, and films are invited to the festival
at the discretion of the Program Director. In 2007,
the Festival received 2,491 entries from around
the world.
• How many films
play in the Festival?
Approximately 50 features, 45 feature documentaries
and 125 shorts make up the main body of the Festival.
In 2007 we screened 321 titles.
•
What else do I need to know?
Seating is available at all performances on a first-come,
first-served basis. No late seating. We strongly recommend
that you arrive at the theatre 30 minutes prior to each
screening to get in the ticket holders line. All programs
are subject to change without notice. No refunds or
exchanges can be given, except in the case of program
cancellation. All films will be shown in their original
language with English subtitles, unless otherwise noted.
With the exception of the KidsEye™ series, and
the outdoor series "Stars Under the Stars,"
children under six years old will not be admitted, and
children six and over will be charged regular ticket
prices.
All audience members must leave the theatre following
each screening. Leaving belongings and/or saving seats
between shows is not allowed. Please do not leave empty
seats in the middle of a row.
Cameras and recording devices are not permitted in the
theatre. Please silence all cellular phones, pagers
and watches when in the theatre.
• How do I purchase
tickets or passes to a screening?
Festival passes for the 2008 Rhode Island International
Film Festival are on sale now. Tickets
to individual screenings will be available for purchase
beginning on July 24th, 2008. Passes and tickets can
be purchased on this web site or over the phone at 401-861-4445.
Walk up sales of passes and tickets will begin at Festival
venues in early August 2008.
• What are some films that have played
in past festivals?
Past films have included Walt Disney's The Little
Matchgirl, Stu Pollard's Keep Your Distance;
Josh Staub's The Mantis Parable; John Williams’
Hibernation; Richard Gibson’s Message
from Fallujah; Jeff Zimbalist & Matt Mochary’s Favela Rising; Cherry Arnold’s Buddy;
Mary Mazzio’s Lemonade Stories; Mary
Healey Conlon’s Holy Water Gate; David
Rittey’s Closer; Stephen Collins’
Next of Kin and Tiffani Thiessen’s Just
Pray. In recent years, the Festival has also presented
the World or American debuts of Destino; Listening;
Kiss the Bride; Gregor's Greatest Invention; The Personals;
News for the Church; Bonhoeffer; Unknown
Soldier and Brother Outsider:
The Life of Bayard Rustin; among many many others.
• I want to get involved with RIIFF. What can I do to help?
There are a number of ways you can support the Rhode Island International Film Festival. You can~
Volunteer: We need all kinds of assistance leading up to, during, and after the festival.
Sponsor: There are many opportunities and benefits for sponsoring us.
NO EXCHANGES OR REFUNDS. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED AND MAY SELL OUT AT ANY TIME.
A maximum of four Tickets may be purchased per person, per screening.
Film length, as listed in the schedule, represents the best available information at press time and is for your convenience only. Length of film does not include film introductions or Q&A sessions following the screening. Programs and schedules are subject to change without notice.
Festival Pass holders MUST present their Passes with a ticket when entering a venue.
Passes must be worn visibly in all festival venues (including screenings, panels, and parties).
Vouchers are not tickets, but must be exchanged for a film ticket.
Pass holders will be admitted to screenings first and are guaranteed seats up to 15 minutes in advance of the scheduled start of that screening.
Ticket holders are guaranteed a seat only until ten minutes before the scheduled start of the screening.
No entry permitted fifteen minutes after the scheduled start of any screening.
All customers must leave the cinema and lobby following each screening.
Bags are subject to inspection.
No refunds or exchanges. In case of cancellation of screening, return ticket to point of purchase.
Please silence cellular phones, pagers and watches when in the theatres.
Cameras and recording devices are strictly prohibited in theatres. It is illegal to make a copy of a film without permission of the copyright owner. RIIFF reserves the right to undertake anti-piracy measures, expel anyone recording or photographing anything in the theatre and confiscate pirated materials.
Our invaluable and experienced staff and volunteers are recruited from far and wide to ensure the best possible Festival experience for all. RIIFF will not tolerate mistreatment of its staff or volunteers of any kind and will take measures accordingly.
All Festival Venues are Wheelchair Accessible (except the Columbus Cinématheque). Festival patrons requiring wheelchair access, should contact the Festival Box Office in advance by calling 401.861.4445.
Please note that the majority of festival films are not rated. We urge parents to exercise discretion. Infants and toddlers are not permitted at any screening or panel, unless they are related to KidsEye™ where age-specific materials are defined. We reserve the right to create age restrictions for films as necessary.
Customers are limited to holding space in rush lines for a maximum of two individuals, including themselves. Please inform the Festival Staff person at the Rush Line if you are holding a place for another individual.
Please do not leave empty seats in the middle of the row. Rush seating is less disruptive to the rest of the audience if empty seats are available on the aisles. Standing at the back of the auditorium or sitting in the aisle is not permitted due to the Fire Code.
Rush Tickets
Limited advance tickets will be sold prior to screenings. Rush tickets will become available for sale on a first-come, first-serve basis approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A line for these rush tickets will form up to an hour before show time. Each attendee must purchase their own ticket. Multiple rush tickets will not be sold to an individual.
• Special Discounts Available for those attending the Festival
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to assist this year's guests and festival attendees in making their travel plans a bit easier. We are offering a reduced rate travel package that will provide hotel accommodations, screening passes, RIIFF 2008 souvenirs, and an optional car rental or train discount, for the weekend of August 5 - 10th.
Guests are welcome to choose from two package options: (full details for 2008 to be announced)
• The RIIFF WeekEnder Premiere Package
• The RIIFF WeekEnder Package
The Film Festival Board is pleased to offer all WeekEnder Package holders a weekend Cine-Pass ($200 value that retails for $125). The pass includes one ticket to the Closing Night film and party, access to four film screenings daily (or 12 films over the weekend) and access to our weekend “Between Takes” panels. Passes - as well as a RIIFF 2008 program book, mug and poster - will be awaiting guests in their reserved Biltmore rooms.
Package holders will also receive a coupon book with valuable savings at the Providence Place Mall.
RIIFF WeekEnders are eligible for discounts at both Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Amtrak. Guests will save 20% off the best available regular adult rail fare for coach travel to Westerly, Kingston or Providence, RI on reserved regional trains (Boston/Springfield, MA - Washington, DC) by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL and using the festival discount code.
Codes can be obtained when booking a package through the RIIFF office (Call us at 401/861-4445). Travelers can also receive special discounts for rental cars through Enterprise by calling "1-800-RENT-ACAR"
By mentioning the Festival to the wait staff of Blake's Tavern, all guests will receive a 15% discount on their food bill. The tavern has been a staple of Providence for nearly 20 years and widely known for its menu's variety that takes “Pub Grub” to the next level.
Our discount package can be purchased by calling the RIIFF office at (401) 861-4445
Contact Adam Short, Producing Director, for details. He can be reached by email (adams@film-festival.org), phone (401-861-4445), or mail (268 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903)
How can I make a tax-deductible donation to support the festival? Send tax-deductible donations to: The Rhode Island International Film Festival
PO Box 162
Newport, RI 02840
With the exception of the KidsEye™ series, and
the outdoor series "Stars Under the Stars,"
children under six years old will not be admitted, and
children six and over will be charged regular ticket
prices.