22nd ANNIVERSARY SEASON

October 16-24, 2021

Celebrating the Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror Genres

• Read the 2020 News Release Announcement: click here

• Read the 2020 Awards News Announcement: click here

PLEASE NOTE: THE MAJORITY OF OUR FILMS ARE INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, CHILDREN UNDER 14 WILL NOT BE ADMITTED WITHOUT AN ADULT. PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

THE SPECIAL KIDSEYE SCREENINGS DURING THE FESTIVAL FEATURE AGE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND WILL BE RATED EITHER G OR PG.

This year’s Vortex programming is sponsored by the Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival Rhode Island Film & Television Office, The Providence Tourism Council, ACT/Providence, Cox Media, WLNE ABC6, Eurochannel, RISCA, WSBE Rhode Island PBS, Providence College, Johnson and Wales University, Narragansett Brewing Company, the RI Historical Society, the RWU School of Humanities, Arts and Education, RWU Department of Communication, Graphic Design and Web Development.

THE 2021 FESTIVAL:

FLICKERS’ VORTEX SCI-FI, FANTASY, AND HORROR FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES ITS 22nd GENRE-FILLED YEAR

Over 100 Films, 9 Running Days, World/North American Premieres, Virtual and Drive-In Locations, Free Screenings, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Animation Programming, doubleFEATURE showcase on Rhode Island PBS, Expanded College Connection Screenings, and the Popular H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour Times Four

A phantasmagoric symphony of international films blasts its way across the big screen as the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival launches its 22nd Annual Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival (VORTEX), October 16-24th. In addition to its traditional spooky film fare, Vortex will showcase a wide-array of Sci-Fi and Fantasy cinema. Highlights at this year's Festival include a return of its popular “H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour” over a four-day period presented in collaboration with the RI Historical Society, Virtual and Drive-In Screenings, free in-school programs, an expanded Campus Connections series that brings free Festival programming to area Colleges and Universities, free Forums that look behind-the-scenes at creating genre films in the Ocean State, Filmmaker Q&As, a Virtual Awards ceremony, special programming on the RI PBS series, “doubleFEATURE,” and more...

"We have a wonderfully diverse list of entries and events for this year's festival. Everything from traditional horror and horror comedy to thought provoking science fiction and animation, said Shawn Drywa, Vortex Program Director.

This year also marks the first of our screenings at area Drive-ins to ensure a safe experience for our audience, plus free programmimg online.

“Plus, we have some great panelists and a very fun virtual closing night party. We truly have something for everyone," added Drywa.

The Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival celebrates and showcases imagination and creativity in filmmaking and will include a bevy of World and U.S. Premieres. In all, over 100 films have been selected from over 3,300 genre submissions. They represent countries that include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, China, Spain, France, Croatia, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, and the United States.

Please Note: Most events are free to the general public except the Drive In presentations and the HP Lovecraft Walking Tour.

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Three Special Highlights for 2021

Saturday, October 16th

Sunday, October 17th

Saturday, October 23rd

Sunday, October 24th

12:00 P.M.

H.P. LOVECRAFT: WALKING TOUR & FILM SCREENING

This year, the popular annual H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour hosted in collaboration with the RI Historical Society will be held on four dates: October 17, 18, 24, 25th at 12:00 NOON.

The life and work of Providence's best-known fantasy and horror author, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, provide the backdrop for this walking tour. Acknowledged genius of occult and horror fiction, Lovecraft's Providence Stories (written between 1924 and 1935) provide the basis for this walk. Lovecraft wrote eloquently, and in great detail, about such landmarks as Prospect Terrace, the First Baptist Church, and the historic homes of Benefit Street. See the site of his former home, as well as the sights mentioned in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, The Haunter of the Dark, The Shunned House, and The Call of Cthulhu. Lovecraft's own words offer a most amazing literary, historical, and architectural walking tour.

The tour will depart on both days from the John Brown House at 52 Power Street, Providence and lasts 90 minutes.

LOVECRAFT-INSPIRED FILM SCREENINGS

The H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour concludes with a screening of a short film collection inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. Attendees will be given access to a curated program they can watch virtually.

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:

Location: John Brown House, 52 Power Street, Providence, RI

Time: The tour will take place this year on two days at 12:00 Noon:

Cost: $22.00; Bring your eTicket with you to the Tour and Screening

 

 

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Tuesday, October 19th & Thursday, October 21st

SPECIAL EVENT PRESENTATION & SCREENING AT THE RUSTIC DRIVE

Tickets go on sale in September

October 19, 2021

October 21, 2021

Time: 6:30 p.m./Dusk
Location: Rustic Drive-in, RTE. 146, North Smithfield, RI
$20 per carload

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Thursday, October 21st

LOCATION:

WSBE - Rhode Island PBS

Broadcast: Channel 36

CoxCox 08 / 1008HD

Verizon FiOS (RI) 08 / 508HD / (MA) 18 / 518 HD

Full Channel 08 Comcast in Southern MA *Various / 819 HD

DirecTV 36 | DISH Network 36

8:00 P.M.

doubleFEATURE

60 min. weekly series, television magazine “doubleFEATURE,” a showcase for the art of film and the artists who create them.

Each week, “doubleFEATURE” presents award-winning short films that have premiered at the Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival over the past 20 years. Ranked as one of the top 10 Festivals in the United States, RIIFF is also a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Documentary and Animation Short Film Academy Awards through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. It is also a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and Canadian Screen Awards (Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television)-qualifying Festival. There are only 6 film festivals worldwide that share this distinction.

Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film and Television, and an accomplished writer/director, will introduce audiences to the filmmakers those who work behind the camera lens through incisive and revealing interviews.

“doubleFEATURE” promises a voyage of discovery where viewers learn about the talented artists from Rhode Island and beyond who work in the industry or aspire to create their career. From seasoned professionals, college and high school students, to those whose passion and creativity are their drivers, “doubleFEATURE” shines a spotlight. Writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, talent, costume, set and sound designers, gaffers, grips and production assistants share their inspiration.

Showtime: Each Friday on RI PBS, WSBE-36 at 8:00 p.m. with a repeat broadcast on the following Thursday night at 10:00 p.m.

Credits: A Flickers Production in collaboration with the RI Film and Television Office and RI PBS. George T. Marshall, Executive Producer; Steven Feinberg, and Shawn Quirk, Producers.

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All proceeds generated by the Flickers' VORTEX Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Film Festival will be dedicated to the FLICKERS' SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. These include the Drwya-Feinberg Scholarship, the Winifred Brownell Scholarship, the Viola M. and Joseph Marshall Scholarship and the Patricia Neal Scholarship Fund that are designed to help area college students pursue studies in the film arts. Since RIIFF is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, you can rest assured that your money will be re-invested back into the community.

Now celebrating its 39th Anniversary, Flickers, the producers/creator of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, showcases the artistic efforts of filmmakers and encourages new talent while providing the visibility necessary to launch careers in the industry.

For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org. Our offices are located at 83 Park Street, Suite 5, Providence, RI 02903.

SOME OF THE THEATERS/EVENT LOCATIONS WE USE:

The Rustic Drive-In

RTE 146

North Smithfield, RI

Link:

More Details can be found on the Vortex schedule...

Sponsors for 2021:

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film at Providence College.

Johnson & Wales College of

Arts & Sciences

©2019 Rhode Island International Film Festival®. All Rights Reserved.

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About this event:

• Why sponsor the RI Horror Film Festival? - click here

• See full Day to Day Schedule of film screenings • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020

• Read the News Releases • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015• 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020

• 2019 Venues• Roger Williams University • The RI Historical Society • Tiverton Public Library

• Download the Horror Film Festival Poster • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020

• Call for Entries to the 2019 Festival - click here

• Read about the Award Winners • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020

• See Paul Ruggeri's photos • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009