RIIFF Podcasts
These podcasts were undertaken by Toni Pennacchia and Paul Elsnau for Spolier Alert Radio. To hear their most recent podcasts, click here.
More: pages 1. 2. 4
 Matt Wittmer - The Regiment
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Matt Wittmer is a graduate of the Documentary Institute at the University of Florida and a former intern at the documentary production company, Kartemquin Films.
He has recently directed the short documentary film The Regiment, which tells the unusual story of a group of Dominican youth from Providence, Rhode Island who take part in a civil war re-enactment in Olustee, Florida.
The 14th Rhode Island Reenactors Program helps Providence high school students recreate the history of the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment. By being immersed in the life of the Black soldier of the Civil War, the students learn about the role of African Americans during the war and about the history of the war generally. They are led by Robert Goldman, a veteran Civil War reenactor.
The Regiment had its World Premiere at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Rob Sorrenti - Wednesday
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Rob Sorrenti is the writer and director of the short film Wednesday which won Second Prize for Best Editing at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Rob graduated from Ravensbourne School of Professional Broadcasting in 2000 at the age of twenty as the youngest student ever to graduate from the course. He founded his own production company, Future Time Pictures in 2004, and has directed and edited many behind the scenes featurettes including The Real Billy Elliot Diaries (for ITV1), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Pride and Prejudice, United 93, and The Bourne Ultimatum.
Wednesday is Rob’s short film debut and a very personal, intimate film for him. It is an observational piece about love, life, and pre-determined destiny. It features the concept of soulmates who meet 25 years later on a Wednesday.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Nitzan Mager - I Am God
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Nitzan Mager, is the writer and director of the short film I Am God which had its World Premiere recently at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival. She has also appeared as an actress in a number of films and theatre including Nobody Loves Alice and Hag Same’ach!.
I Am God is a powerful short film based on a Israeli poem about a man traveling in Israel who has lost himself. He meets a grieving mother, her orthodox neighbor, a soldier, and a young Palestinian in his travels and discovers that sometimes finding yourself is not enough.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Javier Gutierrez and Susana Jacques - Voodoo Bayou, Sunday, October 14, 2007
We speak with the creators of the animated short film Voodoo Bayou, which won Second Prize for best animation at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival and screened at the eighth annual RIIFF Horror Film Festival.
Javier Gutierrez is the film’s writer and director and Susana Jacques is the executive producer of the film. They have used their artist’s eye from the world of advertising at Ciber Films to develop a dark and enchanting tale of a Voodoo doll that comes to life and tries to escape from his nemesis, the witch-doctor.
This short represents the first film of three planned chapters. The captivating original score, which won First Prize for best score at RIIFF, was composed by Rodrigo Barbera.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Stacy Dymalski and Billie Harsh - The Write Stuff
Bayou, Sunday, October 14, 2007
Filmmaker Stacy Dymalski and actress Billie Harsh speak with us about the comedic short film The Write Stuff which satirizes the hypocrisy of critics.
A stand-up comic and writer, Stacy is the founder of the independent video production company Saffire Systems. A member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), she’s also written, directed and produced several successful commercials and short films.
Billie started performing at the age of three and has appeared in several musical productions across the country. She currently works with Stacy and three others at Crazy Parkite Productions, where she works managing production in addition to acting.
The interview was recorded live at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Chris Burgard - Border
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Chris Burgard is the director of the provocative documentary Border, which gives viewers a front row seat along the United States Border with Mexico.
The film screened to much acclaim at the 11th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Chris has quite a varied background which includes having worked as a ballet dancer, stunt double, and actor - both on television roles in Tour of Duty and Growing Pains, and in numerous films including Pirates of the Caribbean and The Last Samurai, featuring his horsemanship. He even wrote and directed a Troma film cult classic, The Ruining.
Chris is touring the United States with his latest film Border aboard his “Big Blue Bus” in order to educate people on the situation on the southern border. Details on the tour dates can be found by visiting his website.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Marcin Glowacki - The Stewardess
Sunday, October 7, 2007
On this episode, we talk with Marcin Glowacki, director of the short film The Stewardess (Die Flugbegleiterin).
Born in Poland and living in Germany, Marcin is both an actor and director, as well as the founder of Jim Pansen Production, a Berlin-based film and television production company which focuses on the medical field.
The Stewardess is a black comedy short film which investigates over consumption and man’s relationship with nature. It is on the surreal side, both funny and gross, and ironically has a vegetarian edge to it.
In addition to the screening at the 11th annual RI International Film Festival, The Stewardess also screens at the 8th Annual RIIFF Horror Film Festival October 18-21, 2007.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Craig Shapiro - Ice Kings
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Craig Shapiro joins us to discuss his documentary film Ice Kings about an unparalleled hockey dynasty.
This is the story of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, a school that won twenty-six consecutive state champisonships between 1978 and 2003.
The film is now available on DVD in time for the holidays after playing sold film festivals including winning the 2006 Audience Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Craig also discusses his work in television sports features and plans for the future.
This episode was originally broadcast in Spring 2007.
Click here for more Information and to download.
 Greg Wilcox - Homage to a Catalonian Christmas, Sunday, November 18, 2007
We are joined by Greg Wilcox, director of a short short story documentary called Homage to a Catalonian Christmas, featuring an entertaining look at a featuring the cultural winter holiday traditions of the Tio and the caganer (the crapper) and the need for Catalonia to keep its own culture active.
He has also made an experimental political short called Fortunate Son, a music video that shows the irony of a CCR song used for a Wrangler jeans commerical in 2005.
Homage to a Catalonian Christmas has played a number of festivals including the Rhode Island International Film Festival. It also screened at the 2007 MergingArts Short Short Story Film Festival, where it won the “Rammie” Award for special recognition for overall short short storytelling.
Click here for more Information and to download.
More: pages 1. 2. 4
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