2013 Film Festival Award Winners Announced
The 17th Annual Festival Concludes Screening 216 Amazing Films from Across the Globe
• Read this year's Program Dedication
"Death Metal Angola," Winner Grand Prize Best Documentary
Providence, R.I. • Aug. 11, 2013 — FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) proudly announced the award winners for its 17th annual festival, on Sunday, Aug. 11, at its awards ceremony held at The Metcalf Auditorium at the RISD Museum in downtown Providence, RI. This year’s Festival took place Aug. 6–11, 2013, and had a record-breaking year in attendance for ticket buyers and filmmakers, including more than 800 people at the Opening Night Celebration.
More than 200 feature length, documentary and short films—from 65 countries, and 36 states across the U.S.—were screened during the six-day Festival at locations throughout the state of Rhode Island. Films were selected from a record entry base of 5,114 submissions, and this year’s Festival included 55 World, North American, and U.S. Premieres.
"This year saw many firsts for the Rhode Island International Festival," said George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s Executive Director and founder. “Thanks and kudos belong to the amazing partnerships forged with the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, the City of Providence, the Government of Québec, the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Rhode Island College, the RISD Museum, Cox Media, and the Providence Journal. The Festival had a spectacular lineup of films that engaged, provoked thought and entertained and were complemented by our sold-out educational programs which drew high praise from attendees.”
Marshall continued, “From hosting hundreds of international filmmakers from across the globe to our packed closing night block party, this year’s Festival shone a spotlight on what makes Rhode Island a special place to celebrate and create film.”
RIIFF is one of only 75 film festivals worldwide that is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). RIIFF has seen 29 films that premiered at the Festival go on to receive Oscar® nominations with six (6) winning the Award. At the February 2013 Academy Awards, three of the short film nominees shared the distinction of having premiered at Opening Night of RIIFF 2012: “ASAD,” directed by Bryan Buckley and produced by Mino Jarjoura (Hungry Man); “Buzkashi Boys,” directed by Sam French and produced by Ariel Nasr (Afghan Film Project); and “Henry,” directed and produced by Yan England.
The winner of the RIIFF Best Short Grand Prize holds a special honor: it becomes the Festival’s nominee for Academy Award consideration. The 2013 Grand Prize winner is “Drone Strike,” by U.K. director Chris Richmond. As Richmond’s dramatic directorial debut, “Drone Strike” depicts a day in the life of a devoted family man who serves as a RAF drone pilot, and who struggles with the warped reality of having a day job in the U.K. that consists of firing Hellfire missiles 4000 miles away in Afghanistan. This film tells the story of how one fateful decision shatters his conviction, and shows the effects of that decision on a family in Helmand Province.
“I would like to thank the Rhode Island International Film Festival jury for this amazing accolade,” said director, Chris Richmond. “I’m overwhelmed by the reception Drone Strike has received at the festival and feel honored to have been selected for the Grand Prize from an impressive program of high quality short. The Rhode Island International Film Festival has been the perfect international launch pad for the film”
The 2013 Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival was dedicated Dr. J. Gerald Lamoureux, of Woonsocket, who passed away this year. A lifelong resident of Woonsocket, Dr. Lamoureux was a strong force in the francophone community and worked to keep the Quebecois culture alive in Rhode Island. He worked with Flickers to help create the French Festival Jubilee Franco-Americain in Woonsocket in1995, and acted as its vice president for many years. This Jubilee grew into what is now the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which represents the entire world through its film selection while keeping a special spotlight on the French language—and Franco-American community in Woonsocket—by building strong partnerships with Quebecois and French organizations and festivals.
Beyond recognizing excellence in the 2013 RIIFF films, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) also honored actors, industry professionals, and exemplary partners with special recognition and achievement awards. These included:
• CREATIVE VISION AWARD was presented to Welsh actor, Ioan Gruffudd. The Award celebrates passion and creativity within the world of cinema. Gruffud made a lasting impression in film through his roles in “Titanic,” “The Fantastic Four,” “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” ”King Arthur,” “Amazing Grace,” the British series “Poldark” and “Hornblower,” and the American series “Ringer.“ He stars in “Foster” which had its North American Premiere at RIIFF this year. Past recipients include Actor/Director Federic Castelluccio, Actor Jonathan Katz, Actress Blythe Danner, Director Michael Corrente, German Writer/Director Rosa von Praunheim, and Founder of the Newport Jazz Festival Elaine Lorillard.
• ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD was presented to writer/filmmaker G. Wayne Miller. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding. The award is 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 was presented to Alfred Thomas Catalfo, of New Hampshire, for his screenplay for “Betrayed.” This award is presented to the Grand Prize winner of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Mr. Catalfo was also a special guest at the 2013 ScriptBiz screenwriting workshop on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013.
• SPOTLIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND AWARD was presented to Rachel Smith of Hope, RI, for her screenplay for “Fix You Up.” This award is presented to a writer whose screenplay focuses on the spirit and character of Rhode Island.
• PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARDS were presented to Rhode Islanders Lew Place (North Smithfield, RI), Photographer and Webmaster, RI Film & Television Office; Dana Neugent (Newport, RI), Film Media Professor at University of Rhode Island; and Sherilyn Brown (Cranston, RI), Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. The Producers Circle Awards are presented to members of the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival. These Friends of the Festival have had a significant impact on the growth, evolution and quality of what has become RIIFF.
• CRYSTAL IMAGE AWARD was presented to Rhode Island actors CJ Adams (“Against the Wild,” “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” “Dan in Real Life”) and Robert Capron (“The Way, Way Back,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Frankenweenie”). The Crystal Image Award is presented to emerging artists whose outstanding work and vision epitomize new voices that must be heard; actors whose talent will have a positive impact in the future.
• ROBERT ALDRICH “NEW DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD was presented to Tom DeNucci during the Rhode Island Film Forum. Robert Burgess Aldrich, of Cranston, RI, was a successful director of many feature films and utilized a variety of genres to tell his stories. His films included “The Longest Yard,” “The Dirty Dozen,” “Flight of the Phoenix,” “Hush,” and countless others. Robert Aldrich began his career in Cranston, RI, and ultimately rose in the Hollywood ranks to be the President of the Directors Guild of America, serving from 1975-1979. This Award is presented to a director who has begun his career in Rhode Island and is following in the footsteps of Robert Aldrich, preparing to make a lasting mark on the industry.
• RHODE ISLAND “PRODUCER OF THE YEAR” AWARD was presented to Chad A. Verdi. The RI Producer of the Year Award was created this year to recognize someone who really knows what it means to produce—in both quantity and quality—in the Ocean State. Chad Verdi, of East Greenwich, RI, is such a person. In 2013 alone, he produced “Self Storage,” “Army of the Damned,” “A Bet's a Bet,” and is now in preproduction on “Bleed For This.” This latter film is the story of Vinny Paz (formerly Vinny Pazienza, an Italian-American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight and light middleweight weight classes from Rhode Island), and will be produced in Rhode Island this year with a budget of $15–$20 million. He has worked with talent including Kristen Chenoweth, Mena Suvari, Jonathan Silverman, Kenan Thompson, Eric Roberts, Robert Englund, William Forsythe, and many others, while maintaining a commitment to developing and nurturing the talents of actors and filmmakers in Rhode Island and building an industry right here in the Ocean State.
The RIIFF Awards 2013:
BEST SHORT
GRAND: “Drone Strike”: Chris Richmond, UK, 2013
First: “Chef de Muete (Herd Leader)”: Chloé Robichaud, Canada, 2012
Tie for First with: “Dotty”: Mick Andrews and Brett O’Gorman, New Zealand. 2012
BEST FEATURE:
GRAND: “TORN”: Jeremiah Birnbaum, Pakistan and USA, 2012
First: “41”: Glenn Triggs, Australia, 2012
Tie for First with: “Hank and Asha”: James E. Duff, USA, 2012
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY:
GRAND: “Death Metal Angola”: Jeremy Xido, Angola and USA, 2012
First: “My Life According to Sam”: Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, USA, 2013
Tie for First with: “Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia”: Nicholas D. Wrathall, USA, 2013
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
GRAND: “Who Shot Rock And Roll”: Steven Kochones, USA, 2012
First: “The Rider And The Storm”: Bryn Mooser and David Darg, USA, 2013
BEST COMEDY SHORT:
GRAND: “Fools Day”: Cody Blue Snider, USA, 2013
First: “The Pamplemousse”: Jonathan Watton, Canada, 2013
Tie for First with: “No Tiene Gracia (Not Funny)”: Carlos Violadé, Spain, 2012
BEST ANIMATION:
GRAND: “Son Indochine”: Bruno Collet, France, 2012
Tie for Grand Prize with: “Ex Animo”: Wojciech Wojtkowski, Poland, 2013
First: “Love in the Time of Advertising”: David Bokser, USA, 2013
Tie for First with: “A Cautionary Tale”: Simon Rippingale, Australia, 2012
BEST EXPERIMENTAL:
GRAND: “Le livre des morts (Book of the Dead)”: Alain Escalle, France, 2013
Tied with: “Agophobia”: Benjamin Ross Hayden, Canada, 2013
BEST DIRECTOR:
GRAND: “Anniversario”: Jeffrey DeChausse, USA, 2013
First: “La Fugue”: Jean-Bernard Marlin, France, 2013
Tie for First with: “Drone”: Daniel Jewel, UK, 2013
DR. J. GERALD LAMOUREUX AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE:
Presented to a filmmaker and artist who represents the spirit of cultural exchange between the United States and Canada.
Joseph Procopio, “Sundae,” Canada, 2013
SOLDIERS AND SACRIFICE AWARD:
Celebrating Stories That Commemorate America’s Heroes
“Till Then: A Journey Through World War II Love Letters”, Vic Del Regno, USA, 2013
DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD:
GRAND: “Vergeben - Vergessen (Forgiven Is Not Forgotten)”: Nicolas Greinacher
Tied with: “Mohamed’s Birds”: Mohammed AlAwadi, USA, 2013
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
GRAND: “La Noche Anuncia La Aurora (Night Announces Dawn)”: Gerard Uzcategui, Director / Cinematography, Venezuela, 2012
First: “Astarsaga (Love Story)”: Asa Hjorleifsdottir, Iceland, 2013
RIIFF NEW ENGLAND DIRECTOR’S AWARD:
Sponsored by the Government of Québec, the award provides a full pass for a New England-based director to attend the Montreal Festival of Nouveau Cinema, meet with Québec filmmakers and stay in the City.
Eric Latek, Rhode Island Filmmaker and Cinematographer, “Pell Grants: A Passion for Education”
RIIFF DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD:
GRAND: “Against The Wild”: Richard Boddington, Canada, 2013
First: “Say Nothing”: Roland Kennedy, UK, 2013
HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS AWARD:
Celebrating Films that Reflect the Jewish Experience
GRAND: “Erbgut (Liquidation)”: Matthias Zuder, Germany, 2013
Tied with: “Calloused Hands”: Jesse Quinones, UK, 2013
ECHOES OF EARTH AWARD:
Celebrating the Resonant Spirit of Creativity through World Music
GRAND: “We Came Home”: Ariana Delawari, Afghanistan and USA, 2012
Tie for Grand Prize with: “The Morning After”: Directed by David Renaud, USA, 2013
First: “The Silk Road of Pop”: Sameer Farooq, Belgium, Canada, China, and Netherlands, 2012
BEST EDITING:
GRAND: “Ceramic Tango”: Patricia Chica, Director/Editor, El Salvador and Canada, 2013
First: “Memorable Moi (Remember Me)”: Jean-Francois Asselin, Director / Simon Sauvé, Editor, Canada, 2013
BEST SCREENPLAY:
GRAND: “Summer Vacation”: Sharon Maymon, Israel, 2012
First: “Vikingar”: Magali Magistry and Chris Briggs, Iceland and France, 2013
RISING STAR AWARD:
GRAND: “The Balls to Prove It”: Murray Scott & Daniel Becker, USA, 2013
Tied with: “Happy Birthday”: Muhand Hayal, Iraq, 2013
RIIFF AMBASSADOR AWARD:
Presented to an artist whose work inspires and empowers communication and cultural understanding
Marlyn Mason, actor/writer/director, “The Right Regrets”
FLICKERS INTERNATIONAL VISION AWARD:
Breaking down international cultural barriers through film
• “Bishtar Az Do Saat (More Than Two Hours)” Ali Asgari, Iran, 2013
• “Lady Urmia”: Mohammad Eshani, Iran, 2013
“HELPING HAND” INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD:
Given annually to films or filmmakers who inspire social change and community outreach and strive to better the world in which we live.
• “Forget Us Not” Heather Connell, USA, 2013
• “Mommy” Rene Frelle Petersen, Denmark 2012
PROVIDENCE FILM FESTIVAL:
Presented annually to a New England director whose work brings cinematic excellence to an international audience
Steven Feinberg, director, “Pell Grants: A Passion for Education,” USA, 2013
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (LGBTQ):
GRAND: “Brighton”: Pierre Stefanos, UK, 2013
Tie for Grand Prize with: “Spooners”: Bryan Horch, USA, 2012
First: “Lambing Season”: Jeannie Donohoe, USA and Ireland,
2013
KIDSEYE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:
GRAND: “Lad A Yorkshire Story”: Dan Hartley, UK, 2012
Tied with: “Exam Jitters,” Susan Procopio/ Katherine Procopio, Canada, 2013
First Place: “Rocketship,” Alfred Thomas Catalfo, USA, 2013
GREEN PLANET AWARD:
Celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet.
“Tiny: A Story About Living Small”: Christopher Smith and Merete Mueller, USA,
2013
VORTEX SCI-FI & FANTASY:
GRAND: “House At The Edge Of The Galaxy”: Gleb Osatinksi, USA, 2013
First: “Radiance”: Andrew Cumming, UK, 2013
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.
“Apocalypse Later: Harold Camping vs. The End of the World”: Zeke Piestrup, USA, 2013
_______________________
RIIFF YOUTH JURY AWARDS
Presented by the Graham H. Carter, program manager & members of the 2013 RIIFF Youth Film Jury.
RIIFF YOUTH JURY AWARDS
BEST FEATURE
“Foster”: Jonathan Newman, UK, 2013
BEST DOCUMENTARY
“Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor”: John Wager, USA, 2013
BEST GLBT
“The Go Doc Project”: Cory Krueckeberg, USA, 2013
BEST SHORT
“Cold Warrior”: Emily Greenwood, UK, 2012
________________________
Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Awards
MOST POPULAR
"A Will for the Woods": Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale, Brian Wilson, USA, 2013
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Grand Prize:
"Tutti Giù": Niccolo Castelli, Switzerland, 2012
First Prize:
"Life Accordng to Sam": Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine, USA. 2013
BEST FEATURE
“Lad A Yorkshire Story”: Dan Hartley, UK, 2012
BEST SHORT
Grand Prize:
"The Gift: Lloyd Harvey, Spencer Harvey, Australia, 2013
Tied with: "Wild Horses": Stephanie Martin, USA, 2013
First Prize:
"Histoire Belge" (A Belgian Caper):
Myriam Donasis 2012
Tied with:"Homophobia": Gregor Schmidinger, Austria, 2012
For a full list of film synopses, actor listings and trailers, please see the Festival Genius application
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 75 film festivals worldwide which share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England.
The next Festival will take place August 5-10, 2014
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