2012 Film Festival Award Winners Announced

The 16th Annual Festival Concludes Screening 210 Amazing Films from Across the Globe

• Read this year's Program Dedication

(Providence, R.I. • Aug. 12, 2012) – FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF)
proudly announced the award winners from its 16th annual festival, on Sunday, August 12th at the annual Awards Ceremony held at The Vets in downtown Providence, RI. Held from August 7-12th, 2012, the Festival had another record-breaking year in attendance for ticket buyers and filmmakers.

Two hundred feature length, documentary and short films – from 51 countries, and 32 states in the United States - were screened over a six-day period at locations throughout the state of Rhode Island. Films have been selected from a record entry base of 4,717 submissions. The Festival presented 28 World Premieres and 26 North American/United States Premieres.

"It's simply been an incredible year for us," said George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s Executive Director. "Thanks to the amazing partnership we forged with Steven Feinberg and the Rhode Island Film & Television Office and sponsorships with the Providence Journal, Cox Communications and the City of Providence, filmmakers from across the globe were able to experience true Rhode Island hospitality. We had a spectacular lineup of provocative and engaging new films and a banner year for the Flickers’ Forums.

“This year the festival registered more than 150 filmmakers from across the globe including Greenland, Italy, Canada, France, Belgium, Denmark and Norway. All in all, we achieved everything we set out to accomplish with this year's Festival and more.”

RIIFF is one of only 75 film festivals worldwide that is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) the Opening Night has become a crowd-pleasing “Salute to the Art of the Short Film.” This year, more than 800 people attended the event. RIIFF has seen 27 films that premiered at the Festival receive Oscar® nominations with six (6) winning the Award; most of the films were part of the Opening Night program. In 2011, five of the films that premiered at RIIFF went on to receive Academy Award nominations, and two wins (“The Shore” directed by Terry George and “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” directed by William Joyce.)

The winner of the RIIFF Best Short Grand Prize holds a special honor: they become the Festival’s
nominee for Academy Award consideration. The 2012 Grand Prize is “Asad” a South African/United States production, directed by Bryan Buckley that features an all Somali, refugee cast. The film is a coming of age fable about a Somali boy struggling to survive in his war-torn homeland.

The 2012 Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival was dedicated to the memories of RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award winner (2009), acting legend Ernest Borgnine and Bruce W. Putney (1925 to 2012) the father of FLICKERS board member Duncan B.Putney. Bruce was a US Navy fighter pilot and R.C.A.F. pilot during WW2. He was the inspiration for the short film "Half Pint,” written and directed by his son.

Beyond recognizing excellence in performance and craft in the festival’s films, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) also honored actors, industry professionals, and exemplary partners with recognition awards. These included:

ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD presented to Trinity Repertory Actor, Barbara Meek. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision
promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding. Named after the founder of Rhode Island,
Roger Williams, who established an American tradition of religious freedom and individual liberty
that was encoded in The Bill of Rights. This award honors a truly unique American whose ethics,
philosophy and conscience reflects that of Roger Williams, who provided a refuge from rampant
religious persecution, an open door to all people; a safe harbor in a vast sea of tyranny and
oppression.

RIIFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARD, presented to Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold for
her screenplay for “Raising Rufus: A Maine Love Story.” This award is presented to the Grand
Prize winner of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition.

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARD, presented to Assistant to the Executive Director, RI Film &
Television Office, Carol Conley (Pawtucket); International Arts Advocate, Ineko Stephan
(Newport); filmmakers William Smyth (Boston), Eric Latek (Providence); and former RIIFF
Managing Director, Demetria J. Carr (Barrington). The award serves to showcase members of
the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the FLICKERS:
Rhode Island International Film Festival.

GEORGE M. COHAN AMBASSADOR AWARD, presented by Karen Bordeleau of the
Providence Journal to arts advocate and Rhode Island College President, Nancy Carriuolo. The
award recognizes an outstanding artist whose work, passion, and drive epitomizes a level of
excellence that reflects creatively on their Rhode Island roots or work. Named after famed
Providence entertainer George M. Cohan, this award honors truly unique Americans who have
made a timeless contribution to the arts and who have inspired future generations of Rhode
Islanders.

The RIIFF Awards 2012:

BEST SHORT

GRAND: ASAD | Bryan Buckley, South Africa/United States, 2011

First: Dva | Mickey Nedimovic, Germany 2012

Tied with: J'aurais pu être une pute (I could've been a hooker) | Baya Kasmi, France, 2010

Second: The Other Side | Khen Shalem, Israel, 2011

BEST FEATURE:

GRAND: Shouting Secrets | Korinna Sehringer, Switzerland/United States, 2011

First: Apartment in Athens (Appartamento ad Atene) | Ruggero Dipaola, Italy, 2011

Tied with: Funeral Kings | Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus, United States, 2011

BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY:

GRAND: Lost Years | Kenda Gee, Tom Radford | Canada, 2012

First: The Second Execution of Romell Broom | Michael Verhoeven, Germany/United States, 2012

Tied with: Kinderblock 66: Return To Buchenwald | Rob Cohen, Czech Republic/ Germany/Israel/
United States, 2012

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

GRAND: HIRO - A Story of Japanese Internment | Keiko Wright, United States, 2011

First: Beijing | Christopher Messina, China, 2011

Tied with: Mr. Christmas | Nick Palmer, United States, 2011

BEST COMEDY SHORT

GRAND:The Extraordinary Life of Rocky | Kevin Meul, Belgium, 2010
First: Nonna si deve asciugare (Grandma must get dry) | Alfredo Covelli, Italy,2011
Tied with: Friend Request Pending | Chris Foggin, United Kingdom, 2011

BEST ANIMATION

GRAND:The Last Belle | Neil Boyle, United Kingdom, 2011
First: Nuru | Michael Palmaers, Belgium, 2011
Tied with: Zing | Kyra Buschor, Germany, 2012

BEST EXPERIMENTAL

GRAND: Fraction | Alain Delannoy, Canada, 2012
Tied with: BELIEVEtheDANCE | Thomas Berg, Norway, 2012

BEST DIRECTOR

GRAND:La Part Céleste (On the Celestial Side) | Thibaut Gobry, France, 2012
First: Mannen fra isødet (The Devil’s Ballroom) | Henrik Martin K. Dahlsbakken, Jan Mayen,
Greenland/ Norway/Svalbard, 2012

DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD

Presented to a director whose outstanding work on a first short or feature film represents a new unique and compelling vision that will resonate well into the future

• Ballroom Dancer | Andreas Koefoed, Christian Bonke, Denmark / Germany/ Hong Kong/ Russian
Federation/United Kingdom, 2011
• Calcutta Taxi | Vikram Dasgupta, Canada/ India, 2012

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

GRAND: Pesaran-e-Buzkashi (Buzkashi Boys) | Director: Sam French, Cinematographer/DPm: Duraid Munajim, Afghanistan, 2011
First: Die Schaukel des Sargmachers (The swing of the coffin maker) | Director: Elmar Imanov; Driss Azhari, Cinematographer, Germany, Azerbaijan, 2012

RIIFF DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Delivery | Amy Redford, United States, 2012

BEST SOUNDTRACK
Die Thomaner (St.Thomas Boys Choir) | Director: Paul Smaczny, Germany, 2012

BEST EDITING

GRAND: Forever in Hiatus | Andy Nguyen, Director; Chelvendra Sathieaanandha, Editor, Vietnam, 2012

BEST SCREENPLAY

GRAND: As You Were | Rene Frelle Petersen, Denmark 2012
First: The Farmer's Wife | Francis Lee, United Kingdom, 2011A.

RISING STAR AWARD

College: Dear Hunters | Zack Bornstein, USA/Czech Republic, 2012
Tied with: Dos au Mur | Miklos Keleti, Belgium, 2011

RIIFF INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR AWARD

Presented to a filmmaker whose work fosters communication, education and cultural understanding.
• Married and Counting | Allan Piper, United States, 2012
• The White Picket Fence Project | Marla Altschuler, Tamarin Kaplan, United Kingdom, Kosovo, South Africa, 2012

FLICKERS INTERNATIONAL VISION AWARD
Breaking down international cultural barriers through film.
Shanghai Strangers | Joan Chen, China, 2012

“HELPING HAND” INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Given annually to a film or filmmaker that inspires social change, community outreach and strives for
bettering the world in which we live.
• StandUp | Louis McCullagh, Ireland, 2012
• I Once Was Blind | Charlene Chapman, Jeffrey Chapman, United States, 2012

PROVIDENCE FILM FESTIVAL

Presented annually to films made by filmmakers from the southern New England region.
GRAND: A Girl Like Her | Ann Fessler, United States, 2011
First: Cowboys and Dissidents | Will Maloney, Ireland, 2012
Tied with: Biba! One Island, 879 Votes, Benjamin Bloodwell, United States/ Northern Mariana Islands, 2011

FLICKERS’ 30TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD

Presented to a filmmaker whose work exemplifies the best of the independent genre – a category of film that has come to define FLICKERS.
• American Songwriter | Michael Altman, United States 2012
• Memories | Joseph Procopio, Canada, 2012

ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD

GRAND: Rufus Stone | Josh Appignanesi, United Kingdom, 2012
Tied with: Hatch | Christoph Kuschnig, Germany, 2012
First: Neighbors | Rachel Goldberg, United States, 2011
Tied with: The Men's Room | Jane Pickett, United States, 2012

KIDSEYE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

GRAND: Piece of Cake | Susan Procopio, Katherine Procopio, Canada, 2012
First: Betrand the Terrible | Karen Farmer, Australia, 2011

GREEN PLANET AWARD
Celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet.
The Eyes of Thailand | Windy Borman, United States/ Thailand, 2012

VORTEX SCI-FI & FANTASY

GRAND: Shhh | Freddy Chavez Olmos and Shervin Shoghian, Canada/ Mexico, 2012
First: Small Time | Ged Murray, Ireland, 2012
Tied with: A Conversation about Cheating with My Time Travelling Future Self | Pornsak
Pichetshote, United States, 2012

FILMMAKER OF THE FUTURE AWARD

Presented to a filmmaker whose vision excites audiences and judges alike about the potential to produce compelling and successful films in the future
Gurei Zoun No Naka (In the Grey Zone) | Ian Thomas Ash, Japan, 2012

_______________________

RIIFF YOUTH JURY AWARDS

Were presented by the Tim Mendonca & Jack Doyle, RIIFF Youth Jury Program Managers.

RIIFF YOUTH JURY AWARDS

BEST FEATURE

Married and Counting | Allan Piper, USA, 2012.

BEST ANIMATED

Rising Hope | Milen Vitanov, Germany, 2012

BEST GLBT

Rufus Stone | Josh Appignanesi, United Kingdom, 2012

Cowboys and Dissidents | Will Maloney, Ireland, 2012

________________________

Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Awards

MOST POPULAR

Grand Prize:

I Once Was Blind | Charlene Chapman, Jeffrey Chapman, United States, 2012

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Grand Prize:

Biba! One Island, 879 Votes | Benjamin Bloodwell, United States/ Northern Mariana Islands, 2011

First Prize:

Gurei Zoun No Naka (In the Grey Zone) | Ian Thomas Ash, Japan, 2012

Tied with: The Eyes of Thailand | Windy Borman, Thailand/United States, 2012

BEST FEATURE

Grand Prize:

Breakfast with Curtis | Laura Colella, United States, 2012

First Prize:

Vinyl | Sara Sugarman, United KIngdom, 2012

Tied with: Dog Years | Warren Sroka and Brent Makoto Willis, Japan/United States, 2012

BEST SHORT

Grand Prize:

The Men's Room | Jane Pickett, United States, 2012

Tied with: As You Were | Rene Frelle Petersen, Denmark 2012

For a full list of film synopses, actor listings and trailers, please see the Festival Genius application

• Click here for a listing of the 2012 Screenplay winners (coming Columbus Day Weekend, October 2012)

THE FLICKERS’ BACKSTORY & MISSION:

The mission of the Flickers, the Newport Film Society & Arts Collaborative - now in its 30th year - has been to serve as a creative partner in the arts by uniting various media and arts disciplines that nurture the artistic process and support a vital part of our community. This includes multi-disciplinary art presentations; artistic and cultural activities; performance festivals; video and television productions; audio recordings and broadcasts; educational outreach programs; and the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).

ABOUT 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 12 Festivals in the United States, RIIFF is also a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. There are 65 film festivals worldwide which share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England.

The next Festival will take place August 6-11, 2013.