MICHAEL CORRENTE TO RECEIVE RIIFF's 2006 Creative Vision Award

RHODE ISLAND DIRECTOR•WRITER•PRODUCER•ACTOR

TO RECEIVE RIIFF'S AWARD FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS AT FESTIVAL’S

10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

PROVIDENCE, RI: The list of Rhode Island filmmakers who have found success in Hollywood and international media circles has been steadily growing as the Ocean State finds itself becoming a New England film mecca. But there is still one name that stands about the rest: director/producer/writer/actor, Michael Corrente. He will not only be the recipient of this year’s Creative Vision Award, but a “Guest-of-Honor” throughout this year’s Rhode Island International Film Festival (“RIIFF”). The Creative Vision Award is presented annually to an artist who has made a significant contribution to the arts.

“Even before the Farrelly Brothers put Rhode Island on the international filmmaking map with their hit There’s Something About Mary in 1998, Michael had been a vocal champion of local filmmaking,” commented RIIFF’s Executive Director George T. Marshall.

“Michael was one of the first Rhode Islanders to find success in Hollywood and more importantly, he brought that success back with him to his home state. We can thank Michael for what is happening now with the explosion in local filmmaking.”

Previous recipients of RIIFF’s Creative Vision Award have been German directing legend, Rosa von Praunheim and Elaine Lorillard, Founder of the Newport Jazz Festival.

Scheduled events include a free outdoor screening of his film Federal Hill; a retrospective of his work at the Showcase Cinemas Providence Place, and a Creative Vision Award presentation at RIIFF’s Opening Night on August 8th. Special guests and friends of the director are expected to be in attendance. Additionally, RIIFF will salute Mr. Corrente with a special VIP reception prior to the official opening night festivities at RIIFF. Tickets are $100 for that event and seating is limited. (Call 401.861.4445 for details).

BACKGROUND ON MICHAEL CORRENTE
Michael Corrente was born in 1959 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. At an early age he was exposed to film and to theater; it was a high-school field trip to Providence's Trinity Square Repertory Company to see a production of A Man for All Seasons that convinced him to pursue a career in the arts. Following completion of his studies at the Trinity Repertory Conservatory in 1981 under the tutelage of Adrian Hall, Corrente bartered his abilities as a contractor in return for rehearsal spaces and production opportunities, mounting over 25 productions. Three years later he left Providence for Manhattan, where he wrote the one-act, semi-autobiographical Federal Hill and eventually established the Studio B Theatre Ensemble.

Following an off-Broadway run of his play, Michael teamed with film director Bill Durkin in 1989 and the two produced a nine-minute film short entitled Title Shot. Over the next few years, Michael continued to develop the screenplay version of his one-act play. Eventually, in 1993, Federal Hill was filmed in Providence in less than a month. It starred his future wife, Libby Langdon, and NYPD Blue star Nick Turturro. Corrente was then signed by Castle Rock to helm the feature adaptation of David Mamet's three-character drama "American Buffalo" with Al Pacino set to star. When Pacino balked at using the relatively novice director, the studio put the project in turnaround where it languished until the Samuel Goldwyn Company agreed to distribute it. Teaming Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Franz, "American Buffalo" premiered at the 1996 Boston Film Festival. Other films directed by Mr. Corrente include: The Berkeley Connection (2006), Brooklyn Rules (2006), A Shot at Glory (2000), Outside Providence (1999). Most recently, Michael has returned to Providence to work on a number of projects, including his much anticipated Buddy Cianci film The Prince of Providence.

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. During the 2006 event, over 270 films will be presented.

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, Providence Monthly, Radio Disney, Feinstein IMAX Providence Place, UPN28, Delta Airlines, WBRU Radio, Showcase Cinemas Providence Place and contributions from members and community supporters.

The Flickers Arts Collaborative, which created and produces RIIFF, is a non-profit organization with 24 years of experience presenting major artistic events as well as independent and foreign films to the public, produces RIIFF.

Advance ticket sales for screenings and special events are available through this 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.