One of the top 10 Short Film Festivals and Top 10 International Film Festivals in the United States. The RIIFF provides the kind of intimate festival experience that will change your life.
Chris Gore
Author of The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, 2nd edition
THE
FLICKERS
MISSION
Flickers offers an artistic exchange as well as opportunities for the global creative community that are not available in the established entertainment industry.
It is designed to foster contact among film directors, artists, producers, distributors, backers and audiences.
Filmmakers will have an opportunity to share new film product, test-market films in development, and share the film-making process with industry peers, students, and the general public.
Thanks to the strong and visionary support of its lead sponsors, the Festival has been able to expand its offerings and include a broad range of film-related programming such as:
KidsEye
Intensive and fun five-day summer workshop that exposes young people to the basic elements of the filmmaking process.
Rhode Island Film Forum
Designed to provide a networking platform, spur dialogue and get answers to your questions from those who make decisions.
ScriptBIz
Day-long workshop that explores how to hone your creative and business skills
Rhode Island Film Forum
Designed to provide a networking platform, spur dialogue and get answers to your questions from those who make decisions.
The proximity of Rhode Island to Canada and the state’s large French-Canadian population has led the Festival to establish as one of its chief aims the encouragement an artistic exchange between filmmakers from the New England region and the Canadian provinces.
This was clearly realized in 2019 with the entry of 243 films from Canada, representing six Provinces.
Tourisme Québec has been one of the Festival’s major sponsors and has helped to nurture the Festival’s Canadian outreach.
Event Locations
Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place in Providence and various locations across the state, including Bristol, Narragansett, and Woonsocket.
Unique Geographic and Cultural Links
The Festival benefits from Rhode Island’s rich cultural heritage and strategic location, fostering artistic exchanges, particularly with Canadian filmmakers.
Support from Educational Institutions
With institutions like Brown University and RISD nearby, and proximity to New York and Boston, RIIFF attracts a film-literate audience and offers a high-visibility platform for filmmakers.
Ideal Test-Market Environment
Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place in Providence and various locations across the state, including Bristol, Narragansett, and Woonsocket.
Growing Film Industry
Rhode Island’s expanding film and television production scene and Providence’s revitalization offer excellent amenities and a vibrant cultural experience.
OUR HISTORY
39 Years of Arts & Educational Programming
OUR FESTIVAL
Ranked as a one of the Top 10 Film Festivals in the United States.
This world-class event will be held at venues around Providence. It features screenings, filmmaking workshops, meet-and-greet industry events and seminars. Aiming to promote Rhode Island as a filmmaking location and to celebrate the independent filmmaking spirit, FLICKERS also hosts a number of high-profile premieres and provides a showcase for international features, documentaries, and shorts.
Founded in 1997, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival has quickly carved out a name for itself. It accepts films of any type, in any genre and will screen this year 300 international productions. The films were shot and produced in countries across the globe. Rhode Island native Bobby Farrelly was so impressed with the festival’s debut that he held the world premiere of his next film – There’s Something About Mary – at the 1998 event.
HONORING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At the Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Vortex, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Film Festival, the Roving Eye International Film Festival, Ciné Quebec, the KidsEye International Film Festival, the Children's Hospital International Film Festival, the Flickers' Screenplay Competition, and those in the Film Industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Flickers began life in 1981 as The Newport Film Society
FAMOUS FACES ON RIIFF
Over the years, we have celebrated the achievements of many distinguished filmmakers and actors. Highlights some of the famous individuals who have been honored with prestigious awards at the festival.
Richard Jenkins
Known for “The Shape of Water” and “Six Feet Under.”
Zach Braff
Known for “Scrubs” and “Garden State.”
Michael Showalter
Known for “The Big Sick” and “Wet Hot American Summer.”
Danny Trejo
Known for “Machete” and “Spy Kids.”
PREVIUSLY, ON RIIFF
Flickers presented its first International Film Festival during the summer of 1983 as a salute to the America’s Cup Contender. The festival was held in conjunction with the Newport Music Festival.
1984-1985
Flickers continued its summer programming with the International Film Festival, a sidebar to its regular series.
1983
Flickers presented its first International Film Festival during the summer of 1983 as a salute to the America’s Cup Contender. The festival was held in conjunction with the Newport Music Festival.
1984
Flickers presents its first Annual Japanese Film Festival which premiered in 1984. The event continues today with screenings in Newport during the Annual Black Ships Festival; making it one of our longest-running events at 24 years!
BEHIND THE SCENES
Our dedicated team is passionate about celebrating the art of filmmaking and supporting the creative community.
Each member brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to making RIIFF a premier destination for filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike. Get to know the faces behind the festival who work tirelessly to bring exceptional cinematic experiences to life.
Shawn Quirk
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Shawn Quirk
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Shawn Quirk
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