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SPRING “FIRST LOOK” FUNDRAISER BENEFITS THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Special Screening Of Recent Academy Award Nominated Shorts and New Work A Huge Hit at Annual Birthday Blow-Out Event


 

EVENT PHOTOS: (coming)


PROVIDENCE, RI (March 19, 2006) – The nature of a father/son relationship; a foster child meeting his parents for the first time, a murder mystery in a small rural town and the loss of a family farm in Iceland, were some of the themes that played out on the big screen when the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) presented its annual Spring “First Look” Birthday Blow-Out Benefit this month. Two of the films screened were recently nominated for Academy Awards and one film won for Best Animated Short. Both films were premiered at RIIFF in 2005.


The special screenings took place on Saturday, March 18th at 7:30 PM. and are part of RIIFF”s 10th Anniversary Celebration.


Adding to the cinematic fun, the evening event showcased several new short films submitted to the 2006 RIIFF. Of special note was a new work by actor, David Strathairn; recent Academy Award nominee for Best Actor in “Good Night and Good Luck,” that left the audience stunned by the plot twists.


The “First Look” screening fundraiser was co-sponsored by the Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Flickers Arts Collaborative.


Designed as a family event and for lovers of world cinema, this benefit presentation also featured our annual birthday salute to supporters of the Festival. This year, RIIFF applauded Jon and Betty Jane Berberian, owners of the Columbus Theatre; RIIFF Board members, Larry Andrade, from Pawtucket and Dr. Gerald Lamoureux of Woonsocket; and staff member, Marc Olechnowicz. A cake cutting and tribute followed the film screening.


SOME OF THE FILMS SCREENED:
The Last Farm
The stage is a remote valley, all the farms except one have been abandoned. A sign of a collapsing culture, giving up to the ever growing city culture. The vast landscape, open sea and high mountains no longer provide the idle living.
Director: Runar Runarsson, Reykjavik Iceland
AA Nominated for Live Action Short


The Moon and the Son
An autobiographical animated film (with the voices of Eli Wallach and John Turturro) exploring the difficult emotional terrain of father/son relationships as seen through the filmkmaker's own turbulent relationship with his father.
Director: John Canemaker, New York, NY
AA Winner Best Animated Short


The Shovel
When weekender Paul Mullin discovers his neighbor digging a hole in the middle of the night, he writes it off simply as a bizarre encounter... until the neighbor and his cheating wife both disappear. Worried he's stumbled onto more than he bargained for, Paul calls on the local sheriff to help unearth the truth. And finds out that, in this small town, some secrets are better left buried.
Director: Nick Childs, New York, NY


Foster
Seven year old foster child Zach has been waiting his whole life for a mom and dad. Simultaneously, a parallel story unfolds with a mysterious man. Could this be Zach’s lucky day?
Director: Jonathan Newman, London, England


THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE OF IT

The film screenings of RIIFF’s “First Look” Birthday Blow-out Benefit occured at the historic Columbus Theatre, (270 Broadway) in Providence, RI. Programming took place on Saturday, March 18th at 7:30 PM.


All proceeds generated by the screening will be used for the planning and production of RIIFF’s 10th Anniversary Season. RIIFF is a 501-C(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.


The Rhode Island International Film Festival is generously supported by WJAR TV 10, UPN28, The City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council, Clear Channel Communications, The Providence Phoenix, Rule Broadcasting Systems, Downcity Diner, Scialo's Brothers Bakery, Jessie’s on Atwell’s Avenue, Motif Magazine, the State House Inn, the Hotel Providence, Coca Cola,Jephry Floral Studio, Gorilla Software, McLaughlin & Moran, Red Bull, Caserta Pizzeria, Pizza Pier, Columbus Theatre Arts Center, Newport Vineyards, Amtrak, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and individual contributions. The tenth annual Rhode Island International Film Festival will take place August 8-13, 2006. For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org

 

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OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

 

 

Caserta's Pizzeria

121 Spruce St., Providence, RI 02903, (401) 621-3618, $
Local flavor and color at this Providence institution, established in 1946. Terrific pizza plus the famous wimpy skippy -- a spinach pie stuffed with cheese and pepperoni and wrapped in Caserta's fabulous crust. Take the whole family. Very casual. No reservations. Wheelchair access through back entrance. Open Sunday through Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Fri. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Closed Mondays. Smoking section. On-street parking. No credit cards. Highchairs available.

 

McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.