RIIFF 2008 is Just Around the Corner...

RIIFF /rif/ - acronym for Rhode Island International Film Festival
~ a 7-day event beginning the second week in August; always starting on a Tuesday at various locations throughout the State of Rhode Island with premiere works in the capital city of Providence;
~ the largest public film festival in New England and an Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences qualifying event;

~ the major portal of entry for filmmakers to discover the Ocean State as a center for film development and production;

~ a unique platform for the creative and cultural discovery of new cinematic talent, both at home, nationally and globally;

~ synonymous with sophisticated, savvy, discerning and film-loving audiences.

Time remaining until this year's

Festival: August 5-10, 2008

2008 RI International Horror Film Festival ...

Call for Entries is Still Open.

The New England region's premiere and largest Horror Film Fest takes place throughout historic Rhode Island at the spooktacular Columbus Theatre and other haunted venues, screening thrillers and titles that fit the horror genre. A side-bar of the acclaimed Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Fest accepts shorts, features & videos produced after 2006.

To Enter our Screenplay Competition, you have two options:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is a founding partner of The International Film Festival Submission System (BrigitFest) – on the Web at Withoutabox.com and prefers paperless entries. Withoutabox provides cost-saving, online entry to major film festivals throughout the U.S. and in Europe with one master entry form, allowing you and us to enter your film more quickly and with greater accuracy. This method is free and easy. Withoutabox users enjoy the advantages of Extended Deadlines and Online Press Kit submissions and filmmakers with an upgraded project on Withoutabox receive $5.00 off their Entry Fees.

or use the the form below:

KIDSEYE™ 2008 Sold Out!

Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary!

The time just crept up on us and now we are celebrating year 10 of this popular summer program. What is KidsEye? It's a five-day summer camp held at the beautiful campus of the University or Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. KidsEye exposes young people to the basic elements of the filmmaking process, culminating in a premiere screening of their finished films. To learn more, click here. To download an application form, click here. The cost for this year's camp is $340.

Breaking News:

RIIFF RECESSION BUSTER TICKETING PACKAGES FOR 2008

The staff and board of the Rhode Island International Film Festival are fully aware that times are tough and money is tight. Most of us are limited in how we spend our disposable income. Gasoline has hit record highs, forcing many to limit unnecessary travel. According to economists, 11 states in the US are in recession. Rhode Island is one of the 11 — the only one in New England.

We don't have a magic bullet to solve the problem, but we can make the Festival experience a bit less of a burden and provide an encouragement to those who may want to attend but have to watch their money.

For a limited time, RIIFF will be issuing a "RI RECESSION BUSTER PACKAGE" which can be purchased online. We think you'll find it a sweet deal.

The "RI RECESSION BUSTER PACKAGE" offers a Festival Six-Pack (that's 6 films for the price of 4; valued at $60 and retailing for $40) and an Opening Night Film Screening Ticket (valued at $20) to our Gala Opening at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Tuesday, August 5th.

That's an $80 value at almost 50% off; a $35 savings! And best of all, a Festival Six-Pack is good year round for all RIIFF events and we allow you to use it for multiple guests.

For more information and to order the "RI RECESSION BUSTER PACKAGE" click here...

RIIFF ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR 2008

Each year the Festival partners with over 40 non-profit organizations in Rhode Island from various sectors including the arts, human and health services, the environment, education, kid’s causes and alumni organizations. The Rhode Island International Film Festival has two programs designed to share Festival resources within the non-profit community:

• The Adopt-a-Film Initiative carries the concept further and provides a platform for each organization to advance its mission through the medium of film and co-host a film screening during the Festival. Each partner organization is paired with a film that is likely to attract an audience interested in its specific cause. With an opportunity to speak to film audiences prior to the screenings and display information at the theater, the groups receive exposure and a chance to connect with filmgoers, filmmakers, other non-profit groups, and more than 24,000 attendees annually. The program helps to promote cultural understanding, philanthropy and volunteerism in the community.

RIIFF 2008 News & Events:

Monthly through September 2008: The Return of "You Be The Judge" Nights or the "Monster Review Series": Last year, over 400 films were submitted to the RI International Horror Film Festival (RIIFF). The reputation of our sidebar festival continues to grow as filmmakers and audiences from around the world spread the word. “You Be The Judge” is a unique opportunity for you to help us select the best films for screening at RIIHFF in October. Throughout the summer, we will be organizing special screenings and inviting you to be a festival judge for the night. Your comments will be recorded and used in helping us to determine which films make the cut. No experience necessary; just be prepared to watch an eclectic mix of shorts, documentaries, animations, local, and foreign films. The series will be launched at The Narragansett Theatre with screenings every Saturday night throughout July at 10:30 p.m.

Summer of 2008: Movies on the Block. Bring your friends and family to watch your favorite flicks on Providence's only outdoor movie screen. Once again, RIIFF is pleased to be collaborating with Michael Corrente and Michael Corso and presenting some of our best short films prior to each screening. Every Thursday during the months of June, July, August and September movies will begin at dusk. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This a free event and open to the public! (The calendar is listed below)

July 3rd : Movies on the Block.Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is Independence Day.

July 5th: RIIFF's Monster Review Series. It's "You be the Judge Night" meets the RI International Horror Film Festival. This summer we are partnering with the Narragansett Theatre, 3 Beach St., Narragansett, RI 02882, 401.783.1022 (adjacent to The Shorebreak). Preview and help select films for this year's RI Int'l Horror Film Festival. Yes, you will be scared... very scared. Open to the general public. For more information and directions, click here.

July 7-11th: KidsEye Summer Filmmaking Camp. Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. This is the original five-day filmmaking camp for ages 8-17 presented by the Academy Award qualifying, Rhode Island International Film Festival. Participants shoot several short films and a promotional trailer, attend workshops taught by certified educators and movie industry professionals, and learn about screenwriting, acting for camera, directing, makeup, camera, costuming and special effects. Applications are available online now. Click here for more details.

July 8th: RIIFF FilmMaking Forums at Borders Bookstore. Join us at Borders Bookstore in Providence Place Mall for timely discussions about the filmmaking industry and you. Programming will take place at 7:00 p.m. Tonight: Planning Your 2008 RIIFF Experience. What are the hot films that will be screening at this year’s film Festival? Who are the filmmakers you must meet? What events demand your attendance? How can you attend the festival and not break the bank? Learn how to navigate the more than 250 films that will be screened at this year Festival from an insider’s point of view. Featuring some of this year’s accepted filmmakers and an advance peak at some of the centerpiece films that will be playing the Festival. Hosted by George T. Marshall, RIIFF's Executive Director and Adam Short, Producing Director. This is free to the general public. For directions to Borders, click here.

July 10th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the programming is geared for SoundSession 2008.

July 12th: RIIFF's Monster Review Series. It's "You be the Judge Night" meets the RI International Horror Film Festival. This summer we are partnering with the Narragansett Theatre, 3 Beach St., Narragansett, RI 02882, 401.783.1022 (adjacent to The Shorebreak). Preview and help select films for this year's RI Int'l Horror Film Festival. Yes, you will be scared... very scared. Open to the general public. For more information and directions, click here.

July 18-20th: Annual Black Ships Japanese Film Festival. We are proud to be 50th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Newport and Shimoda, Japan. In 1983, the Flickers Arts Collaborative presented the Japanese Film Festival at the Stanford White Casino Theatre in Newport as part of the very first Black Ships Festival. 25 years later, this annual sidebar expands with programming in Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett. Along with a number of US Premieres, this mini-festival will feature award-winning shorts, cutting-edge anime, several feature-length films and a special multi-media presentation: East Meets West: The Music of Ikuma Dan (Sunday, July 20th) — a musical celebration of the 25th Anniversary under the Direction of Eric R. Bronner. The concert will feature pianist Nancy Nicholson, Julibeth Andrews and Kara Lund. The Japanese Film Festival is curated by James Hinsey. For more information, click here.

July 17th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is Rocky.

July 19th & 26th: RIIFF's Monster Review Series. It's "You be the Judge Night" meets the RI International Horror Film Festival. This summer we are partnering with the Narragansett Theatre, 3 Beach St., Narragansett, RI 02882, 401.783.1022 (adjacent to The Shorebreak). Preview and help select films for this year's RI Int'l Horror Film Festival. Yes, you will be scared... very scared. Open to the general public. For more information and directions, click here.

July 24th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is The Birds.

Key Events of the 2008 RIIFF: August 1-10th

August 1-10th: Personal Journeys. Staff photographer, Paul Ruggeri will exhibit some of his unique and most personal work at this year's Festival. A gallery display will take place at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center in the Cinémathèque throughout the week of the Festival. A preview opening & reception will take place on Friday night, August 1st.

August 4-5th: ScriptBiz.08.Got a great idea for a movie script, but don’t know where to begin? Or have you finished that masterpiece, but no clue what to do next? The 12th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) proudly presents ScriptBiz.08, a two day workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of being a scriptwriter. The program is broken down into two parts: introductory and advanced. The RIIFF ScriptBiz Program is designed to guide writers not only through the creative process of writing, but ways to promote a screenplay to filmmakers through effective networking with tips on how to make a compelling pitch. This year’s annual ScriptBiz at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, 5 Avenue of the Arts., Providence, RI. Click here for more details.

August 4-9th: The KidsEye™ International Film Festival. This year we expand our offerings over five mornings at a new location. Cutting edge films by and for kids compose this popular sidebar of RIIFF. Click here to see last year's programming.

promises to be an amazing event with new work, expanded networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences, educational programs, an industry symposium, parties, awards, our Opening and Closing Galas, conversations with honorees, breakfast gatherings, a location tour, and a celebrity sighting here and there. This year we will be introducing several new sidebars, including the The Vortex Sci Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, which will include new cutting edge work in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres from independent filmmakers across the globe. (For more information, please click here...) We will also be introducing the Providence Underground Film Festival, with a mission to showcase new, experimental and genre bending work. (For more information, please click here...)

August 5th: 12th Annual RIIFF Opening Night Gala A brilliant and memorable selection of short films from around the world await audiences at the gala opening night of the 12th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival. This year’s line up promises to engage while showcasing international film work. RIIFF’s Opening Night Program will honor the “Art of the Short Film,” a theme that has become a signature for the Festival. Some of the best short films from across the globe will be showcased between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. on the grand 50-foot screen in PPAC. The films screened will represent an array of genres to salute RIIFF’s unique status: out of more than 7,000 film festivals world wide, RIIFF is one of only 61 qualifying Festivals with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—the Oscars—the lone Festival in New England with that distinction. The hot ticket for the summer, advance sales are on sale now... (click here)

August 7-8th: The Rhode Island Film Forum. Here’s your chance to become involved with Rhode Island’s “stars” of the film community. The two-day forum will bring together leaders of the film industry with the decision-making community leaders and historic, natural and commercial property managers of Rhode Island; plus look at what's new on the technical side of the business and how you fit in! Click here for more details.

August 7th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week join us for a new film from the Festival (TBA).

August 9th: Competing as an Actor in the Digital Age. Presented by actor/director, Carson Grant, www.carsongrant.com Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This workshop will help to organize your acting career to compete within this new media technology. Participants will begin to identify their skills and talents in order to establish an internet presence, explore how to compete for auditions with legit and commercial casting directors, and independently submit to casting in theater, film, webcasts, print and commercials. Participants are asked to bring their headshot, resumes, portfolios, and a one-minute monologue, (plus pen and notebook). Please sign up early since this 3 hour workshop is limited to 30 adults. Contact 401-861-4445. Cost: $30.

August 9-10th: The New England Student Film Festival. Exciting, provocative and smart are words that best describe the work from students at our New England colleges and universities. This two-day sidebar will feature film work by tomorrow's leaders in the field. Click here to see last year's programming.

August 10th: RIIFF Official Awards Brunch. Our annual awards program takes place at 11:00 a.m. in the Garden Room of the Providence Biltmore Hotel.

August 14th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

August 28-29th: Annual Best of Fest Night at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $5; CCA & RIIFF members $4. For more information, click here.

August 28th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is Goldfinger.

Month of September: The Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival. The Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival (GJCFF) is a new initiative aimed at introducing authentic Chinese culture to American audiences. It is a collaboration between the US-China Institute and Confucius Institute at Bryant University, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. To learn more, click here.

September 4th: Movies on the Block. Don't forget the picnic blankets and snacks! Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Location: the Corner of Westminster and Union Streets, Providence. This event is free and open to the public! This week the film is Star Wars.

October 10-12th: Columbus Day Weekend. Announcement of RIIFF Screenplay Competition Winners.

October 23-26th: RI International Horror Film Festival. This year's programming promises to be amazing with major premieres, lectures and even a multi-media concert we are calling "Malice Aforethought." There will be something for everyone with our expanded programming.

News and Media Links:

Become a 2008 CinemaRI Member!

Others follow where we lead...

We respect the fact that your money is hard earned and that if you join an organization, you should get value for your investment. At the Rhode Island International Film Festival, we created a membership program that is not restricted to one week a year, or the month leading up to our event. We have been producing ongoing events outside of the main Festival in August for over 12 years. From the monthly Third Tuesday Encore Films Series at the Courthouse Center for the Arts and the monthly Film Forums at Borders in Providence Place, to the Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival and the Vortex Sci-Fi and Fantasy Festival to the annual RI International Horror Film Festival, it has always been our intent to make your membership count. As with RIIFF, membership in CinemaRI is about discovery and the medium of film.

Members receive free and discounted tickets, priority entrance, advance ticket privileges, our monthly event eblast, advance notice of special programs and events and ongoing free screenings! This year, we'll be expanding our First Look programming and introducing an Animation and SFX Festival. As as member, you'll learn about what we are up to before anyone else. You'll also be able to participate in our popular "You Be the Judge Nights," which began in November and help us select the films that will screen at RIIFF 2008.

For information on the different levels of Membership, and to become a Member now, please click here.

Support RIIFF's Non-Profit Mission in the Arts!

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is a production of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, and depends on the support we receive from Members ticket-buyers and the general public to fulfill our mission: encouraging the creation of original, independent film work as well as bringing that work to Rhode Island and Southern New England.

For ways to support us, including Computer Donations, Charitable Contributions, Employer Matching Gifts, and making our Wish-List a reality, please click here.

For Volunteer Opportunities, please click here. For Intern Opportunities, please click here

RIIFF at a Glance:

Call us at

401.861.4445