RIIFF /rif/ - acronym for Rhode Island International Film Festival ~ a 6-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;
2014 Rhode Island International Film Festival Call for Entries is Now Open
Next Edition: August 5-10, 2014
Deadlines: Early: January 15, 2014; Regular: May 15, 2014; Late: June 1, 2014;
Extended Deadline: June 15, 2014
• Screenplay Entries Accepted Through July 15th, 2014
• GLBTQ Horror/Thriller Entries Accepted Through August 15th for the October Genre Festival. Please use the hard copy entry form below if you have missed the Withoutabox cut-off date.
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.
FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting entries for its annual Spotlight on RI Screenplay Competition from November 1 to December 21. The Festival invites talented screenwriters from around the world to submit screenplays that focus on the spirit and character of Rhode Island.
Scripts must be submitted by mail to RIIFF, PO Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. A filled out copy of the entry form must be submitted along with the script. Digital copies will also be accepted.
The winning screenplay will be placed in the hands of producers and industry professionals who have the power to take the script to full-scale production. The winner will also be promoted to the film & television industry by the Rhode Island Film Office and FLICKERS, as well as receiving an all-access RIIFF Pass for 2014 including the ScriptBiz Screenwriters Workshop.
The deadline for submissions is December 21, 2013. For more information, click here
Breaking News
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 10 live action short films and eight Documentary Short Subjects will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty pictures had originally qualified in the live action short category and 40 entries were initially eligible for Documentary Short. The finalists for the 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The following films were screened/premiered at the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival and are now on the eligible list:
“The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” Reed Entertainment (Documentary Short)
“Dva (Two),” Mickey Nedimovic, director, and Henner Besuch, director of photography (Filoufilm Dani Barsch) (2012: Best Short: First: Dva | Mickey Nedimovic, Germany 2012)
“Throat Song,” Miranda de Pencier, director (Northwood Productions)
“The Voorman Problem,” Mark Gill, director, and Baldwin Li, producer (Honlodge Productions)
In the Feature Documentary Division, we are excited to report that the following film is on the shortlist: (12/6/13):
"Life According to Sam," Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, Directors (Fine Films
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. Flickers will once again be presenting its annual Red Carpet Experience: Providence on stage at The Vets, celebrating yet another phenomenal year of cinematic discovery See details from last year's event, click here...
2013 Programming at RIIFF
December 15th
Conducting Conversations...
Featuring RIIFF Executive Director, George T. Marshall
"Conducting Conversations," on Classical Radio WCRI 95.9 FM, presented by Roberts Musical Instruments and Dr. Michael Sullo Art: This Sunday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 PM join host Mike Maino for an hour of music and conversation with RIIFF's Executive Director. The program gives a behind the scenes look at the guests' background, interests, special projects, and how music and the arts has impacted their lives. Tonight's program will focus on the music of composer, Howard Shore.
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we celebrate the Holiday season with an amazing and powerful program of short films that were discovered at RIIFF this past August. The JAC program this month is one not to miss!
The Amber Amulet | 22 min. | Directed by Matthew Moore
The Masked Avenger can make things happen. Though at 10 he is considered young for a justice fighter he has already proved himself highly effective in the pursuit of peace. He has discovered powers that are locked inside gems and minerals and uses them to keep Franklin Street safe. But something is wrong in the house at the end of the street. There is a woman in trouble. When The Masked Avenger leaves a 'happiness questionnaire' in her letterbox a series of events are set in motion that no one could predict. This is the story of a superhero, a beagle, an amber amulet and the potential that is locked inside all of us.
Baby, Is It Warm in Here? | 4 min. | Directed by Jared White
A lighthearted parody of the holiday classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. Jacob DeMonte-Finn & Avital Ash star in this musical comedy about a women stuck on a not-so-hot blind date. When she tries to end the evening gracefully, she’s rebuffed by her cheerfully lecherous suitor because, well, “baby, it’s cold outside.”
Eideann | 5 min. | Directed by ÁLVARO GRANADOS
Setting in the XIV Century, Eideann is the story of how a courageous shepherd from the Highland of Scotland and one of the sheep of his flock become the pioneers of one of the most popular entertainments of our days.
Maple Syrup | 1 min. | Directed by Yoshino Aoki
A girl traveled back from Canada opens her suitcase at home and finds something unexpected...
Rocketship | 15 min. | Directed by Alfred Thomas Catalfo
An unlikely bond is forged between a lonely boy and an elderly man claiming to be a former astronaut. Together, they transform a vintage vacuum cleaner into a rocketship for a surprising journey.
Snowman and the Snowdog | 24 min. | Directed by Hilary Audus
A young boy finds a box under the floorboards containing a hat, scarf and some coal - a snowman making kit! It snows and he builds a Snowman and a Snowdog. That night they come to life and take him on a wonderful adventure. As dawn breaks they fly home, but before the boy returns to bed a magical surprise awaits him...
Walking the Dogs | 27 min. | Directed by Jeremy Brock
A Buckingham Palace guard attending to Queen Elizabeth's room takes her dogs for a walk and while he's away an intruder breaks in for a chat with the monarch. WALKING THE DOGS is based on Michael Fagan incident in 1982. Featuring Russel Tovey and Emma Thompson ("Saving Mr. Banks")
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
December 21st is a symbolic day: the day of the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year, celebrated by many civilizations as the day of renewal. It is the perfect day to celebrate short films, an important speciality of Flickers, which greatly contribute to the renewal of audiovisual creations.
Through extended collaborations with both The Alliance Française de Providence and The Consulat Général de France à Boston, Flickers is proud to bring The Shortest Day to venues across Rhode Island. In it’s third year of existence, The Shortest Day (Le jour le plus court) is a global French film festival organized by the CNC, Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée (the National Center of Cinematography and Moving Image). This year, Flickers will showcase "The Shortest Day" program in the only 3 venues within the United States (all in Rhode Island) and one of three in North America! (See the Global list of participants) Flickers will be the only organization representing the United States on this special day of short film screenings across the Globe.
“We are very excited to be partnering with Flickers for the third edition of The Shortest Day (Le jour le plus court). As part of the Consulate’s cultural mission, we actively promote all types of cinema and we place great importance in showcasing French short films to the greater public. While all too often under-estimated or overlooked, the short film is a vibrant and thriving format in the world of cinema today, and it deserves a great deal of recognition.” Eric Jasserman, chargé de mission artistique, Consulat Général de France à Boston."
Le Jour le plus Court is a chance to discover the great directors of today and tomorrow.
What Are the Goals of Le Jour le plus Court?
• Promote short films to the general public.
• Popularize showing these films on all screens and in all venues.
• Encourage amateur work and contribute to cultural democratization.
• Develop the essential role of networks and associations that work all year long to program and promote short films.
All screenings are free and open to the general public!
• For the full news release and a list of the films being screened, click here
Looking Ahead to 2014
January 16th
Official Announcement of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nominations
The Oscar® awards ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on 2 March 2014.
January 16th
JAC Third Thursday Encore Film Series
Shorts of Art and Design
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Art Is A Verb | 10 min. | Directed by Sky Sabin
In this short documentary the Rhode Island filmmaker asks for advice from three of the most inspirational people he knows: Steve Connor (luthier & owner of Connor Guitars), Martin Keen (Founder & CEO of Focal Upright Furniture), and Mike Fink (RISD Professor, Author).
Ex Animo | 7 min. | Directed by Wojciech Wojtkowski
An animated impression. Images conjured up by the animator form a two-dimensional reality of their own. Absurd and unrelated scenes describe the rules governing the world confined to a sheet of paper and animation technique. The relationships between the characters seem strangely familiar.
Flow | 5 min. | Directed by ante cheng
Every encounter in life is unexpected. A soulless, weightless piece of paper can stimulate coincidences, ignite the collapse but also the rebirth of dreams. The worth of a paper money may seem to depend on its face value. However, in different hands, it may transfer into all kinds of hopes, carrying the pursuit of goals, shifts of desires and emotions. Through the body language of dancers, we leap across the island of Taiwan, taking in the diverse scenery of nature and culture. The journey unfolds with the stream of subconsciousness.
Ouverture | 5 min. | Directed by Bracey Smith
For one little girl in soviet controlled Bulgaria, potential manifests itself as music that pours from her heart. Ouverture follows the early life of this particularly peculiar little girl as she learns to overcome, accept, and harness her unusual gift. Animated in a simple but elegant line-based style, it uniquely blends minimalism with a density rarely found in such a seemingly simple story. Inspired by, and featuring, the virtuoso Pianist Nadejda Vlaeva, this animated short is set to the classical piece 'Ouverture,' by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Sebastian | 18 min. | Directed by Vlad Marsavin
Sebastian is an 8-year old boy who lives with his grandmother in an ordinary house in an ordinary, monochrome world. But when Sebastian gets on the bike to go for a ride, the adventure into his imagination begins.
Sleight Of Hand | 10 min. | Directed by Michael Cusack
Sleight of Hand. A set of techniques used by someone to manipulate objects secretly to deceive. This is a stop-motion film about illusions. A Man yearns to know his place in the world and how he fits in, when sometimes it's better not to know.
Sky Color | 7 min. | Directed by Peter H. Reynolds, John Lechner & Gary Goldberger
The sky's no limit as the author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish winds up his Creatrilogy with a whimsical tale about seeing the world a new way. Marisol loves to paint. So when her teacher asks her to help make a mural for the school library, she can't wait to begin! But how can Marisol make a sky without blue paint? After gazing out the bus window and watching from her porch as day turns into night, she closes her eyes and starts to dream... from the award-winning Peter H. Reynolds comes a gentle, playful reminder that if we keep our hearts open and look beyond the expected, creative inspiration will come.
Who Shot Rock And Roll | 36 min. | Directed by Steven Kochones
This documentary short explores the groundbreaking collaborations between photographers and recording artists who came together to create some of the most enduring images in rock history. From the early 1950s through the present, 'Who Shot Rock & Roll' tells the stories behind the photos and takes viewers on a visual journey through the many eras of rock and roll. Powerful imagery and insightful commentary give viewers a unique glimpse into photography's impact on the ever-changing-but everlasting-culture of rock and roll.
Wonder | 4 min. | Directed by Nikki Lemon
Wonder is a short animated film about finding the fantastic within the mundane. An urban cityscape comes to life as Sage finds wonder through her imagination, transforming her world into one just a little bit stranger as she discovers that adventure is all around her.
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
Flickers at the Newport County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Join us at this wonderful outreach event at the Hyatt Regency on Goat Island in Newport Harbor. We will be introducing this year's new poster design and have our graphics team, led by Michael J. Chevalier, onboard to share some of their work.
We will be giving away passes to this year's Festival and even offer a raffle prize of a full Festival Pass. The time for the Expo is 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
EXPO 2014 showcases all that Newport County and the East Bay businesses have to offer. There will be hundreds of fabulous door prizes, plus free samples and souvenirs and live music. Over 100 businesses will be featuring products and services available throughout Newport County and the East Bay. Take advantage of Hassle Free parking and use the Viking Trolley from the FREE parking are at the Gateway Center. The Trolley will run every 15 minutes.
Location: Newport Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa, Goat Island, Newport
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Donation: $3.00 • FREE to Chamber members and their employees. Tickets available at the door.
Sunday, March 2nd
Flickers Hosts the Red Carpet Experience: Providence
Celebrate the 86th Academy Awards in style at The Vets, Providence
The Red Carpet Experience: Providence is a signature event benefitting the Rhode Island International Film Festival (formerly Oscar Experience and Oscar Night America) for the past 5 years. Guests feel like stars and experience the red carpet, paparazzi, champagne, gourmet food, hair and make-up touch ups, swag bags, silent auction, Movie Theater Tickets and more.
Our elegant evening is once again chaired by Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film and Television Office with RIIFF Advisory Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq. More to come as details are formalized. See details from last year's event, click here...
2014 Sponsors:Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival, the RI Film and Television Office, WLNE TV6, WSNE, PMA Industries, Dominion Diagnostics, Amtrak, Cabot, Just Ellen's Catering & Event Planning, Decadent Catering, Quality Rental, The Valet Connection, The Vets, Woodchuck Hard Cider and Unibroue.
This event is not sponsored by or affiliated with the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
March 6, 13 & 20th
"le moi de francophonie."at the Coolidge Corner Cinema
Presented by Flckers and Swissnex
March 7th
Flickers Irish Shorts
Cranston, RI
March 8-9th
Flickers Quebec Film Festival
Held at the Museum of Work in Culture in collaboration with the Alliance Française and the Quebec Delegation
March 20th
JAC Third Thursday Encore Film Series
Shorts from Ireland
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
The GLBT Expo Video Lounge produced annually by the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (http://www.film-festival.org) and the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (http://www.liglff.org) is a great way to be introduced to the art and artists who reflect the modern LGBTQ experience. Each year, the Festivals bring together a unique team of collaborators who help curate the Lounge, making for an entertaining and enlightening afternoon. From cutting edge new work, filmmaker interviews, live musical performances, comedy, dance and even a “You Be the Judge” program where you can select the films that will play at the Festivals, the Video Lounge has become an entertainment mainstay of the Expo.
Stephen Flynn and James Stewart of Long Island and George T. Marshall of Rhode Island have shared a long history of friendship and collaboration. They have been able to draw in the exceptional talents of Ryan Janek Wolowski (MTV), Neal Bennington (Broadway Pride), Tym Moss and Appolonia Cruz, making for two days of non-stop entertainment. Add to the mix the cinematic vision of emerging visual artists, and it becomes easy to understand the popularity of the Lounge for those attending the Expo.
This year RIIFF will be raffling a travel package to the City of Providence (lodging, meals and entertainment) courtesy of our friends at the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Gift Certificates to business in the city of Newport, courtesy of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce; and RIIFF Opening Night VIP Passes good for August 5th!
The Video Lounge is a great place to network, discover new work, learn about the industry and ultimately support emerging new LGBTQ talent. Last year, the lounge was packed on both days during the Expo -- an event which draws over 27,000 attendees. Don’t miss it this year.
FLICKERS:Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is proud to present its ninth annual Roving
Eye International Film Festival™. The popular and acclaimed festival celebrates the film arts from across the globe. All programming is curated by RWU students from current entries to RIIFF. Along with shorts and documentaries, this year's Festival will feature guest speakers and panels, plus animation, Latin-American, Asian and student film sidebars. All screenings, unless otherwise noted, will be free and open to the public . Screenings will take place at the Global Heritage Hall and the Mary Tefft White Cultural Center on the campus of Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI.
RWU PARKING INFORMATION:From Providence: Take Routes 136 South or 114 S passing campus on the left. Take a left at the traffic light just before the Mount Hope Bridge, onto Old Ferry Road. Enter the campus via the front gate passing Campus Security.
From Newport: Take 114N over the Mount Hope Bridge and take the first right off the bridge onto Old Ferry Road. Enter the campus via the front gate passing Campus Security.
Guests should enter through the main entrance at the fountain. they will be able to obtain a guest parking pass. Lot 24a will be blocked off for guests of the festival. Proceed through the main entrance through to the lot 24a on left. Events will take place in the Global Heritage Hall and the Mary Tefft White Cultural Center.
Look for signage noting "Event Parking."
April 17th
JAC Third Thursday Encore Film Series
UNIQUE VIEWS: Films that Provoke
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
A celebration of the Best of LGBTQ Shorts; plus a sneak peak of a major new film
Films made by, for and about the LGBTQ community take the spotlight in a special celebration preview through a unique partnership among FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, Equity Action and the Bell Street Chapel. The preview will feature cutting edge shorts and a sneak peak of a major new film. This year the LGBTQ festival during RIIFF in August is screening over 40 films from across the globe on an array of topics that touch everything from relationships, gay marriage to military policy. To read more about the event, click here...
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2013
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Bell Street Chapel Theatre, 5 Bell Street, Providence, RI
Cost: $10 donation; $8 for RIIFF CinemaRI members. Tickets available at the door.
Contact 401-861-4445 for more information.
June 19th
JAC Third Thursday Encore Film Series
Cultural Collection
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2013 festival. This month we rediscover an amazing and powerful program of short films that were screened at RIIFF last August. As always, the JAC program this month is one not to miss!
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
KidsEye™ is a fun yet intensive
five-day filmmaking camp for children ages 8-17 presented
by FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival™.
Over the course of the last 16 years, the camp has
expanded, allowing children to learn more about what
it takes to make a movie. We strive to incorporate as
much hands-on learning as possible, therefore placing
our focus primarily on production. KidsEye™ participants step into the roles of screenwriters, actors,
directors and crew, and learn the importance of working
as a team. To learn more, please click here.
Please note that we limited the number of campers to 45 insuring the best possible experience and student to teacher ratio.
Thanks to Rule Boston Camera, the University of Rhode Island and the Harrington School of Communications for their ongoing support!
The Next Summer Filmaking Camp Dates: July 7-11, 2014 Our Location: Kingston, RI 2014 Cost: $395
August 5-10th:
Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival
The Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) runs August 5-10th at venues in Providence, Bristol, Jamestown, Woonsocket and across the state of Rhode Island. Screening 200+ films, it is the largest film festival in New England and every year attracts more than 5,300 entries from around the world. More than 200 filmmakers are expected to descend on the state’s capital city this year. RIIFF is a magnet for those who’ve made short films because it is a qualifying event for the short film category of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2012, three of the films that premiered at RIIFF went on to receive Academy Award nominations.
The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers. RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a weeklong extravaganza. Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is noted for its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences which have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe.
To purchase advance Opening Night Tickets, click here
News for Filmmakers
RIIFF continues its special filmmaker partnership with UniFrance
We are very pleased to report that the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival will continue to partner with UniFrance. French films submitted will be offered a special reduced rate through UniFrance. This unique collaboration was created to show our support for international filmmakers, while providing a portal for discovery and exhibition in the United States.
Flickers at the Newport County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 
