April 12-19, 2015

This Year's Program is Dedicated to the Life, Vision and Art of Actor, Anthony Quinn

Tenth Annual event takes place April 12-19th in collaboration with Roger Williams University. Highlights include major international shorts and features, and documentaries and a celebration of the arts.

2015 ROVING EYE INTERNATIONAL

FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

Awards for the top films screened at the 10th Annual Roving Eye International Film Festival have been released.

The Festival created by the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RRIIF) in partnership with Roger Williams University kicked off April 12th and ran through the 19th. This year’s programming featured over 50 films from across the world, numerous World and US Premieres; panel discussions/symposia; visiting filmmakers; workshops; student film and arts showcases; and a celebration the Centenary of legendary acting icon, Anthony Quinn.

The Roving Eye International Film Festival was a portal of discovery for film, arts and culture lovers across the region. Complementing this year’s cinematic offerings, an ongoing arts showcase included new work by the RWU student-run Musician’s Guild, the theater department’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the RWU Arts Alive! presentation of the Martinu String Quartet, a performance by the student acapella group, Drastic Measures, along with presentations by the RWU Dance Club, a Poetry Slam, an outdoor concert Spring Fest by the University’s radio station, WQRI, and an Open Mike Night.

The Festival’s annual Jewish Experience Film/Speaker Series showcased documentaries and short films never before shown in the U.S. Guest speakers include Yonathan Freisem, Israeli filmmaker; Andrew Lund, director/producer; and filmmaker, Michele Noble.

Throughout the Festival, a series of panel discussions and presentations took place. This year’s guest panelists included such industry leaders as Katherine Quinn, widow of legendary actor Anthony Quinn; Steven Feinberg: Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office; Chris Sparling: writer of the film “Buried” starring Ryan Reynolds; Dr. Paola Prado, educator, journalist, media publisher, and consultant; Anya Leta: writer /director; Eric Latek: writer, director, motion graphics artist; Duncan Putney, actor, and award winning screenwriter; Michele Meek, founder NewEnglandFilm.com; Alice Cross, writer/lecturer; Rev. Nancy Soukup, RWU Multifaith Chaplain; and RIIFF Program Director, Shawn Quirk.

Students at the University, with the guidance of FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, created the Roving Eye International Film Festival through the Film Minor senior-level course, Curation and Film Festival Production. Flickers’ Executive Director and RWU Professor, George T. Marshall teaches the class. This year, 17 students spent the first part of the spring semester reviewing more than 500 films provided by Flickers and from there went on to create the entire Roving Eye Festival. The students developed active marketing and PR strategies, including the planning for events plus staffing throughout the week. Roberta E. Adams, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, is the Festival Chair, linking faculty adjudicators with students, RIIFF and the RWU administration in a unique collaboration.

THE AWARD WINNERS:

BEST DIRECTOR

• Michele Noble

JOURNEY 4 ARTISTS

Journey 4 Artists is a unique documentary feature that demonstrates how the power of music has the ability to elevate both the performer and audience beyond divergent religious, political, and ideological boundaries. Journey 4 Artists is an authentic, poignant and sometimes difficult exploration of the human spirit through an artful blend of music, personal narrative and visual history, all of which demonstrates how far we all have come while encouraging us to continue our movement forward.

 

FILMMAKER OF THE FUTURE

• Anya Leta

POINTS OF ORIGIN

Will the relationship between an American radio host and his wife survive the ethical dilemmas of outsourced pregnancy in India?

 

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT

• WHAT CHEER?

Directed by: Michael Slavens | 17 min. | 2014, USA

After the sudden passing of his wife, Stan (Richard Kind) finds himself in a state of shock. He tries to ignore his pain but finds himself followed by inescapable grief, or rather, followed by the inescapable What Cheer? Brigade, a 20-piece brass and percussion band drowning out his world with boisterous, ear-numbing song.

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY

• ANGEL OF NANJING

Directed by: Jordan Horowitz & Frank L. Ferendo | 66 min. | 2014, USA / China

The Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing is one of the most famous bridges in China. It is also the most popular place in the world to commit suicide. For the past 11 years Chen Si has been patrolling this bridge, looking to provide aid for those who have gone there to end their lives. Incredibly, he has saved over 300 people since he began - nearly one every two weeks.

 

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

• THE WATERSHED

Directed by: Daniel Cojanu and Elise Hugus | 15 min. | 2014, USA

A Cape Cod shell fisherman can't make a living from the once-abundant quahogs in the estuary he lives on. A Wampanoag artist no longer trusts the fish in the pond that fed her family since she was a little girl. Wastewater pollution is threatening the wildlife and livelihoods that give the Cape its authentic character. But a unique program between the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and local scientists have found a solution that comes from the shellfish themselves, and people who live according to nature's principles.

 

Tied with:

 

• IN NEW YORK THERE ARE SIX NATIONS AGAINST FRACKING

Directed by: Messiah Rhodes | 13 min. | 2014, USA

In New York State, concerned citizens continue to fight against shale gas drilling from reaching their parts. Near Syracuse, an indigenous people, the Onondaga, “People of The Hill,” have been fighting for their land rights for centuries and have seen their nation reduced in size from 18,000,000 acres to only 7,000 acres. The Onondaga people also fought to clean what was known as The Most Polluted Lake in America for over hundred years. Now they face the threat of fracking that could poison their waters forever.

To see a listing of this year's programming and to learn more about the Roving Eye Festival, go to: http://www.film-festival.org/RovingEye.php

ABOUT FLICKERS: RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has secured its place in the global community as the portal for the best in international independent cinema, earning the respect of domestic and foreign filmmakers, filmgoers and trend watchers. This confluence of art and commerce brought together world-class celebrities, award-winning filmmakers, new talent and audience members in record numbers last year. Ranked as one of the top-10 festivals in the United States, RIIFF is one of 19 festivals worldwide that is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® in both short film and documentary short film through its partnership with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences®.

Our Collaborative Partners: