2016 FLICKERS' VORTEX SCI-FI, FANTASY &
HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS FOR THE 17th ANNUAL EVENT

80 films from across the globe vied for adjudicated genre awards

PROVIDENCE, RI (October 23, 2016) – A phantasmagoric symphony of international genre films were given there due with the wrap of the 17th Annual Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival through adjudicated awards. The Festival celebrated and showcased imagination and creativity in filmmaking and will include a bevy of World and U.S. Premieres. In all, films were selected from over 3,000 genre submissions, representing 20 countries. Many of the filmmakers were in attendance, allowing audience members to meet, ask questions, and network with the next generation of genre filmmakers.

The 2016 festival screened 80 titles, featured two forums and included screenings in Providence at the Aurora Club, the Providence Public Library, the Metcalf Auditorium at the RISD Museum, the Rhode Island Historical Society, along with satellite programming at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket, the Second Stage Theatre in Cumberland, the Tiverton Public Library and Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI.

“This year’s Vortex allowed us to achieve the goals we set last year and serve as an inspiration for the future of the Festival,” said Shawn Quirk, Program Director of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, which produces the Vortex sidebar. “We were particularly pleased that the popular HP Lovecraft Walking Tour and Film Screening produced in collaboration with the RI Historical Society was a huge success, this year hosting just under 100 participants.

“From our expanded College Connections program, part of our ongoing educational outreach with area colleges and universities, free library screenings, a kids-oriented after school program, to a master class on filmmaking and a conversation on the film industry, this year's Vortex Film Festival laid the foundation for next year’s expanded event,” noted Quirk. “We continue to be proud to see that this sidebar to RIIFF has become an important cultural event for the State.”

SPECIAL VORTEX SYMPOSIA:

“The Singularity Of Imagination: A Conversation with...” featured filmmaker/screenwriter, Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office.

Steven Feinberg is a life-long filmmaker and a proud Rhode Island native who spent 22 years as a Hollywood writer, director and producer. He sold original screenplays to the major studios including 20th Century Fox, Universal, Warner Brothers, Dimension and Sony and had international success with the sci-fi features FORTRESS and its sequel FORTRESS 2. In 2004, Steven brought his considerable talent, energy and wealth of industry contacts home to assume the new position of Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office. Over a span of one decade, Mr. Feinberg aggressively promoted Rhode Island as a “film-friendly” location. He initiated ground-breaking tax incentive legislation, which became law in June 2005, developed infrastructure for film and television production, supports media education from the elementary level to college graduates, as well as co-sponsors local film festivals and has launched the comprehensive Film Office’s website, http://www.film.ri.gov/www.film.ri.gov. Most recently, Steven has lured highly prestigious projects such as the upcoming thriller, THE DISCOVERY; with Robert Redford and Rooney Mara, the Martin Scorsese’ production BLEED FOR THIS, Jack Black in THE POLKA KING and many other outstanding films including Wes Anderson’s MOONRISE KINGDOM; Woody Allen’s IRRATIONAL MAN and the Golden Gobe nominated INFINITELY POLAR BEAR starring Mark Ruffalo.

During an in-depth conversation, Mr. Feinberg spoke about his professional journey and shared insights into what it takes to succeed in the film industry.

“Behind The Camera Lens: On the Nature of Genre Filmmaking,” showcased Eric Scott Latek graduated with a BS in Film Concentration, Visual and Media Arts & Mass Communication from Emerson College. The vast knowledge cultivates from Latek's experience in the field of commercial, industrial, documentary and narrative. Eric has personally filmed the stories and lives of over three-dozen people. Eric's philosophy and professional experience has made him become multifaceted in the film industry. Evidence of this wealth of talent and abilities was best exemplified by Filmmaker Magazine's recent recognition of Eric as one of "25 New Faces in Film", worldwide.

Both presentations took place at Roger Williams University.

Winners of the 2016 Festival Awards:

BEST SCI-FI SHORT FILM:

GRAND PRIZE:

The Time Agent | Jude Chun, Director | 30 min. South Korea, 2016.

 

FIRST PRIZE:

The Uncanny Valley | Federico Heller, Director | 8 min. Spain, 2015.

BEST FANTASY SHORT FILM:

GRAND PRIZE:

The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg | Damian Samuels, Director | 17 min. United Kingdom, 2016.

 

FIRST PRIZE:

Story 304 | Aaron Maurer, Director | 18 min. | USA, 2016.

BEST HORROR SHORT FILM:

GRAND PRIZE:

Pyotr495 | Blake Mawson, Director | 15 min. Canada, 2016.

 

FIRST PRIZE:

Quenottes | Pascal Thiebaux, Director | 13 min. France, 2015.

BEST FEATURE FILM:

GRAND PRIZE:

The Open | Marc Lahore, Director | 103 min. France, 2016.

 

FIRST PRIZE:

Gozo | Miranda Bowen, Director | 80 min. United Kingdom, 2015.

 

tied with

Besetment | Brad Douglas, Director | 76 min. | USA, 2016.

BEST DIRECTOR:

Tomorrow Ever After | Ela Thier, Director | 95 min. USA, 2016.

BEST EDITING:

All These Voices | David Henry Gerson, Director | Spencer Koobation, Editor | 19 min. USA, 2015.

DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD:

Beta Persei | Katherine Clark, Director | 17 min. USA, 2015.

Plans are already in development for an expansion of the Festival and a greater high school, college and student presence in 2017.

This event is sponsored by Flickers, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, The Rhode Island Film & Television Office, RI PBS, Amtrak, RISCA, Cox Media, Eurochannel, CW28, Diabolique Magazine, Motif, The Harrington School of Communication and Media at the University of Rhode Island, The URI College of Arts & Sciences, The Film Media Program, The RISD Museum, the Providence Public Library, the Tiverton Public Library, the Warwick Public Library, the Aurora Club, Providence College, Johnson and Wales University, Roger Williams University and the RWU Film Production Collaborative.

The next edition of the Flickers' Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Festival will take place October 16-22, 2017.

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Sponsors for 2016:

The University of Rhode Island Harrington School of Communication and Media,

The URI College of Arts & Sciences and The Film Media Program are proud sponsors of the

Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Film Festival.

© 2016 Rhode Island International Film Festival®. All Rights Reserved.