The Rhode Island International Film Festival Welcomes Noted Actress to its Opening Night Festivities

Providence, R.I. (July 26, 2007) — Anticipation is building for this year’s 11th
Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), August 7-12th. As in year’s past, this portal for discovery of new talent will welcome several hundred filmmakers to the Ocean State who will be screening their latest work. This year, RIIFF will present a record 321 films to be screened over a six-day period. This year’s Festival will showcase cinematic work submitted from over 70 countries, and 34 states in the United States. RIIFF will present 140 World Premieres and 32 US Premieres. Following months of adjudication and review, Festival films have been selected from a whopping entry base of 2,491 submissions.

In 2006, the Festival hosted 232 filmmakers from across the globe and this year is expected to draw in equally large numbers.

Among the many filmmakers confirmed to attend the film festival this year is acclaimed actress Ursula Burton (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Temps, Just Friends, Death of a Saleswoman, The Practice).  The World Premiere of Burton’s directorial debut film “Happiest Day of His Life” will be playing at the RIIFF’s Opening Night on Tuesday, August 7th at 7 PM at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence.

In her directing debut, Burton has created a light-hearted film that slightly challenges gender roles and traditions with a sense of humor. The film depicts a traditional, classic wedding and follows the iconic scenes from typical Hollywood wedding movies like Father of the Bride; however in Burton’s film all the gender roles are reversed and our assumptions dispelled.  The cast includes Jill Eikenberry, Michael Tucker, Harry Groener, Dawn Didawick, Rico Colantoni, Louise Fletcher, Phil LaMarr and Seymour Cassel.

Burton released the film under the Five Sisters Productions banner, which she founded with her real-life sisters.  Five Sisters Productions have produced three feature films so far: Just Friends,

Temps, and Manna from Heaven. Ursula Burton graduated from Yale University earning degrees in both Theatre Studies and English Language and Literature.  She is currently playing recurring roles in both The Office and The War at Home. 

RIIFF is the largest Film Festival in New England. Celebrating the art of film has always been a critical part of the Rhode Island International Film Festival a factor that has solidified RIIFF’s reputation as a filmmaker-friendly event.
                       
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backer, and the film-going community. Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, Providence Mayor David M. Cicilline, and US Senator Jack Reed serve as honorary chairs to this year’s event.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is supported in part by the City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council, the Providence Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism, Clear Channel Communications, Sony, Rule Broadcast Systems, WJAR TV 10, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Amtrak, , Radio Disney, WBRU Radio, and contributions from members and community supporters.

Advance ticket sales for screenings and special events are available through the RIIFF website (www.RIFilmFest.org). Student, group, and senior discounts are also available but only in advance. To purchase tickets or obtain more information about any aspect of RIIFF, call 401-861-4445; or write RIIFF, 268 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903; email info@film-festival.org.