2002 Film Festival Award Winners

PROVIDENCE, RI (July 14, 2002) The 2002 Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) presented by Brooks Pharmacy has announced this year's winners in its film competition at its annual Awards Celebration held at the Columbus Theatre Cinematheque in Providence on Sunday, August 11, 2002. Audience Awards were also tabulated from six festival venues and announced following the successful run of this year's fest which ended Monday night, August 12.

This year, RIIFF received over 800 entries in competition and 67 titles out of competition. Films screened came from 23 countries and 31 states. Of those selected for exhibition, 23 were World Premieres and 12 were United States Premieres.183 titles were chosen as finalists and screened at this year's RIIFF. More than 200 filmmakers registered with the festival. Attendence levels were 10% above 2001 records with five sell-out screenings.Due to demand, the festival will be running a "Best of Fest" throughout the month at the Columbus Theatre in Providence.

BEST FEATURE
• Grand Prize: BLIND SPOT • Director: Stephan Woloszczuk, USA
• First Prize: THE MONTH OF AUGUST • Director: Rex Piano, USA

BEST DIRECTOR
• Grand Prize: AFTER THE FLOOD • Robert Saitzyk, USA
• First Prize: WHITE LIKE THE MOON • Marina Gonzales-Palmier, USA

BEST SHORT
• Grand Prize (tie): MEMBER • Director, David Brooks, USA
• Grand Prize (tie): THE CRICKET PLAYER • Director: Adam Rubin, USA
• First Prize: THE QUARRY • Director: Greg Chwerchak, USA

BEST DOCUMENTARY
• Grand Prize: THE LEGACY OF ROSINA LEVINNE • Director: Salome Ramra-Arkatov, USA
• First Prize: A DAY IN THE HYPE OF AMERICA • Directors TJ Martin & Brian Quist, USA

BEST EDITING
• Grand Prize: DRIVE IN MOVIE MEMORIES • Director: Kurt Kuenne, USA
• First Prize (tie): CINEMA/VERITE • Scott Anderson, USA
• First Prize (tie): L'EAU DE LA ROSE • Director: Cimon Charest, Canada

DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
• Grand Prize: FISHING • Director: Joseph Lutton, USA
• First Prize: FLORES • Kevin Cutts, USA

BEST SCREENPLAY (FOR FILM PRODUCTION)
• Grand Prize: MOTHER GHOST • Writer: Mark Thompson
• First Prize: BEHIND THE RED DOOR • Writer: Matia Karrell

BEST FOREIGN FILM
• Grand Prize: WILDFLOWERS • Director: F.A. Brabec, Czech Republic
• First Prize: CAVALCADES (GET A WAY) • Director: Noah Nuer. France/Canada

PROVIDENCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
• Grand Prize: WASHINGTON HEIGHTS • Director: Alfredo DeVilla, USA
• First Prize: DIVINING MOM • Director: George Kachadorian, USA

RIIFF SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMMING AWARD
• Best Feature: FIXING FRANK • Director: Michael Selditch, USA
• Best Short: THE MOMENT AFTER • Director: Gerald McCullough, USA

KidsEye™ FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Feature:
• Grand Prize: Thomas the Falconer • Director: Vaclav Vorlicek, Slovak Republic
Animation Short:
• Grand Prize: Same Difference • Director: Gregory Katsoulis, USA
• First Prize: The Little Red Plane • Director: Joey Jones, USA

VIOLA M. MARSHALL AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
• Best Feature Film (tie): KISS THE BRIDE • Director: Vanessa Parise
• Best Feature Film (tie): GROWN-UPS • Director: Doug Finelli, USA
• Best Documentary: RATED X: ONE FAMILY'S BUSINESS • Director: John Lavall, USA
• Best Short: A FINE LINE BETWEEN CUTE AND CREEPY • Director: Robert Slane, USA

The Rhode Island International Film Festival took place August 7-12, 2002 in locations throughout Providence and the state of Rhode Island. The Festival will take place next year, August 5-10, 2003. RIIFF is a juried competition and showcase for independent filmmakers from all over the world. The Festival's Honorary Chair is Governor Lincoln Almond. The President/Chairman of the Festival is Michel Coutu, CEO of Brooks Pharmacy. Michael Drywa, Esq. is the RIIFF Board President. George T. Marshall is the Festival Executive Director.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers, and the film-going community.

Now heading into its seventh year, the Festival is produced by the Flickers Arts Collaborative, an organization with 21 years of experience presenting major artistic events as well as independent and foreign films to the public. For more information, visit the Festival web site at www.RIFILMFEST.org or write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org