PROVIDENCE, RI (Spring 2009): The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is proud to present its fourth annual Roving
Eye Film Festival™. The popular and acclaimed festival celebrating documentary films is pleased to announce its 2009 schedule. The theme this year is “Bridging the World Through Film.” During the Festival, which runs April 26-28th, 11 documentary films will be showcased. All screenings, unless otherwise noted, will be free of charge and open to the public and screened on the campus of Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. Additionally, many of the titles will be on reserve in the University library for faculty and students.
The 2009Roving Eye Film Festival will cover such themes ripped from the headlines: torture and rendition's place in a democratic society; human rights in Africa; the efficacy of the death penalty; a profile on Wat Misaka, the first person of color to be drafted into the NBA; escaping the web of poverty in the inner city through education outreach; how the generation of Hollywood directors and producers from the 1970s impacted global culture; and the impact of advertising on our culture.
Many of the film's directors will be in attendance. Panel/roundtable discussions include "The Making of a Documentary Film: From Local to Global" with filmmakers David Bettencourt, G. Wayne Miller, John Lavall, Jessica Jennings and Joseph Sousa; plus "Interrogate This: Psychologists Take on Terror"led by Dr. Maryanne Galvin, forensic psychologist, with Dr. Matt C. Zaitchik, Associate Professor in Psychology, Roger Williams University John P. Zanini, Esq. and RWU Visiting Assistant Professor Jon W. Shelburne.
This year’s Roving Eye Festival has been developed through interdepartmental participation by students and faculty at Roger Williams University; all under the guidance of the Rhode Island International Film Festival and University leadership. The students in “Entertainment Production,” taught by RWU Visiting Professor, Ron Tippe, and “Documentary Film” by George T. Marshall, have spent the semester creating, curating and marketing the event. Roberta E. Adams, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Humanities and Performing Arts has been the Festival Chair, linking faculty adjudicators with students, RIIFF and the RWU administration in a unique collaboration.
Reviewers at the University included: Roberta E. Adams, Paul Bender, Margaret Case, Robert Cole, Kamille Gentles-Peart, Alejandro Leguizamo, Murray McMillan, Roy J. Nirschel, Gary Shore, Anne Tait, Jeffrey Martin and Min Zhou.
“The idea behind this Festival came out of a desire
to provide another platform to showcase the work of
independent filmmakers. Each year, RIIFF receives over
3,000 entries and while the Festival does screen more
films than any other Festival in New England during
its six day run—291 in 2008—many excellent
films are not screened due to time and scheduling constraints. This was something we wanted to correct, ” stated Adam Short, Roving Eye creator and Producing
Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
“Additionally, the quality of the documentaries
submitted to our festival and the interest of the public
in seeing these films has grown by leaps every year,”
said George T. Marshall, Executive Director of RIIFF.
“Roving Eye is an opportunity to screen these
great films and we are very excited to be putting this
festival together with Roger Williams University in 2009.”
"The initial launching of the ‘Roving Eye Film Festival’ at Roger Williams University is a win-win for both the University and the RIIFF, as it allows a wonderful expansion of audience participation for both festivals. In addition, the students involved with the REFF will have produced an event that speaks of global issues that will serve to stimulate discussion while entertaining at the same time. It is in the best interest of both Festivals to provide such a synergistic opportunity for learning and collaboration," stated Ron Tippe Visiting Professor and Executive Producer of the REFF.
“We’ve received films from Iran, a series from the United Nations, from Poland; actually from all over the world, and they address many different subjects. Films have been submitted by Academy Award nominees, recent screenings from the Sundance Film Festival, from distribution companies across the globe, and colleges and universities. Our goal is make sure everyone in our community has a chance to enjoy the documentary film experience, from families to senior citizens to young adults. There is really is going to be something for everyone,” commented Mr. Short.
“We are also making the films free to the public, thanks to the partnership with Roger Williams University and the enthusiasm of President Roy J. Nirschel for this event,” added Mr. Marshall. “We have been heartened by the University's support for this project and believe this type of programming is a perfect fit with our non-profit educational mission."
The 2009 Roving Eye Film Festival is sponsored by the Roger Williams University Office of the President; the Office of the Provost; the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences; and the RWU Department of Communications.
To see a listing of this year's programming, click here...
Through the Rhode Island International Film Festival’s partnership with the Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival(GZ DOC) – China’s largest documentary festival– the top RIIFF documentaries have an opportunity to screen at the Chinese film festival and vice versa. Additionally, RIIFF docs have been chosen by GZDOC to participate in the Sapphire Moving Image Salon traveling film series and special events for trade, cultural, and educational organizations.
2009 marks the 27th year of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, the creator and producer of the Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (that will
take place August 4-9, 2009 at locations throughout
the state of Rhode Island.) Through its affiliation
with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
RIIFF is a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy
Award, the only festival in the region with this distinction.
RIIFF provides a venue to encourage new talent and establish
the contacts needed for wider distribution.
ABOUT ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY:
Roger Williams University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as eighth among comprehensive colleges in the north. Roger Williams offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences, architecture, business, construction management, education, engineering, historic preservation, justice studies, legal studies, visual arts studies and law.
The Guangzhou International Documentary Festival (GZ DOC) started in 2003 and, after five editions, has secured its status as the top documentary film festival in China, as well as an important part of the international documentary market in Asia. The festival is held annually in December in Guangzhou and includes a Documentary Market, public screenings, a thematic competition, and documentary-making seminars. All sections are open for application to participants internationally and domestically. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.gzdoc.com
ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers. Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”). RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a weeklong extravaganza. Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 200 films. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. This year’s Festival takes place August 4-9, 2009.
The Rhode Island International Film Festival ™ and its programs such as the Roving Eye Film Festival, have been sponsored in part by grants and underwriting from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the Flickers Arts Collaborative, and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities; event partners include The US-China Institute at Bryant University, the Guangzhou Documentary Film Festival, Roger Williams University, the Providence Public Library, the Westerly Public Library, the Clark Memorial Library, and the Warwick Museum of Art; corporate support from WJAR TV 10, CW28, Clear Channel Communications, Columbus Theatre Arts Center,and private contributions.
For more information about films, dates, and venues
for the Roving Eye Film Festival™,
please call 401-861-4445, email adams@film-festival.org
