RIIFF Opening Night Celebration

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

All Opening Night events take place at The Vets (VMA Arts & Cultural Center), 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI

Join RIIFF for our 17th annual Opening Night screening and celebration and revel in the talent, artistry, and creation that is the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Thought-provoking, unforgettable and a brilliant selection of films from around the world await audiences at the August 6th Opening Night Celebration of the 17th Annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. The evening’s exhilarating line-up will showcase some of the finest examples of independent and international short films and World Premieres.

For the fourth year, the Festival’s Opening Night festivities will be held at The Vets (VMA Arts & Cultural Center), the elegant and historic 1,900-seat theater located in the heart of the capital city, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence.

More than 200 feature length, documentary and short films—from 65 countries, and 36 states across the U.S.—will be screened during the six-day Festival at locations throughout the state of Rhode Island. Films have been selected from a record entry base of more than 5,100 submissions, and this year’s Festival will include more than 55 World and North American premieres.

RIIFF is a magnet for those who have made short films because it is a qualifying event for the short film category of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2012, three films that premiered at RIIFF’s Opening went on to receive Academy Award nominations: “ASAD,” directed by Bryan Buckley, and produced by Mino Jarjoura (Hungry Man); “BUZKASHI BOYS,” directed by Sam French, and produced by Ariel Nasr (Afghan Film Project); “HENRY,” directed by Yan England, (Yan England).

The magic of year's RIIFF begins at 7:00 p.m. for an evening co-hosted by RIIFF Advisory Board President, Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq. and Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film & Television Office.

RIIFF’s Opening Night Program will salute “The Road to the Oscars®",” a signature theme for the Festival. Some of the best short films that the 2013 festival has to offer will be showcased. All films will be screened in High Definition Digital courtesy of the sponsorship of Sony Corporation and PMA Industries.

The films screened will represent an array of genres reflecting RIIFF’s unique status as the lone film festival in New England that is a qualifying event for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “Oscar”. There are more than 7,000 total film festivals worldwide; only 75 have been granted this prestigious distinction. This year, RIIFF will be presenting over 200 films with 54 being World/North American Premieres!

The magic of year's RIIFF begins at 7:00 p.m. for an evening co-hosted by RIIFF Advisory Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq. and Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film & Television Office. The RIIFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARD will be presented to Alfred Thomas Catalfo (New Hampshire) for his screenplay "Betrayed." The ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD will then be presented to Providence Journal feature writer and author, G. Wayne Miller by Roger Williams University President, Donald Farish. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding. Rhode Island native, Rachel Smith will receive THE SPOTLIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND SCREENPLAY AWARD for her screenplay "Fix You Up," which will be presented by Dr. Thomas Zorabedian, Assistant Dean of Arts & Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Then the Festival kicks off in earnest with nine exceptional cinematic gems:

The Parachutist | Tom Tagholm, United Kingdom, 2013

Ástarsaga (Love Story) | Asa Hjorleifsdottir, Iceland, 2012

Chef de Meute (Herd Leader) | Chloé Robichaud, Canada, 2012

Drone Strike | Chris Richmond, United Kingdom, 2013

Dotty | Mick Andrews, Brett O'Gorman, New Zealand, 2013

Sundae | Joseph Procopio, Canada, 2013

Ceramic Tango | Patricia Chica, Canada, 2013

Anniversario (Anniversary) | Jeffrey DeChausse, United States, 2013

The Pamplemousse | Jonathan Watton, Canada, 2013

The post screening party is a celebration of cinematic excellence. We welcome all film patrons and visiting filmmakers to share in the festivities.

This year's Opening Night Sponsors include the RI Film & Television Office, WLNE TV6, CW28, PMA Industries, Anna Begins: Vintage Apparel plus Retro Design, Dominion Diagnostics, Amtrak, Cabot Cheese, Just Ellen's Catering & Event Planning, Decadent Catering, The Providence Renaissance Hotel, Unibroue, Newport Storm, Stella Artois, Empire Soda, Utz, and Seven Stars Bakery.

Music will be provided by critically acclaimed local artist, Billy Quirk

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Thanks to our Opening Night Sponsors:

√ Return to the 2013 Festival