14th Annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival | Events

(PROVIDENCE, RI August 2, 2010) - Thought-provoking, unforgettable and a brilliant selection of films from around the world await audiences at the August 10th Opening Night Soirée of the 14th Annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. The evening’s exhilarating line-up will showcase some of the finest examples of independent and international short films and the World Premiere of a major new documentary.
 
For the first time, the Festival’s Opening Night festivities will be held at the VMA Arts & Cultural Center, the elegant and historic 1,900-seat theater located in the heart of the capital city, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. (http://www.film-festival.org/RIIFF2010.OPENINGNIGHT.php) The cost for the evening will be $25.
 
RIIFF’s Opening Night Program will salute “The Art of the Short Film,” a signature theme for the Festival. Some of the best short films that the 2010 festival has to offer will be showcased. All films will be screened in High Definition Digital courtesy of the sponsorship of Sony Corporation, HB Communications and PMA Industries.
 
The films screened will represent an array of genres reflecting RIIFF’s unique status as the lone film festival in New England that is a qualifying event for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “Oscar”. There are more than 7,000 total film festivals worldwide; only 65 have been granted this prestigious distinction. (http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/rules/shortsfestivals.html)
 
Films selected for this year’s Festival were curated from a record entry base of over 4,200 submissions and represent 35 World and 23 US/North American Premieres.
 
In addition, the Opening Night festivities will showcase the World Premiere of the new documentary by David Bettencourt and G. Wayne Miller, Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society. The film offers an exclusive and intimate glimpse into the private world of aristocratic Newport society. It will be of special interest to the entire Rhode Island community while also having national and international appeal.
 
"It has been a pretty sensational year for us," said RIIFF Executive Director George T. Marshall, "Entries have been up 23% over last year and have been entered from all over the world. Even as the program was being put to bed, filmmakers continued to send in their work in hopes it would play the Festival.”
 
“The film work submitted this year has been amazing. It’s been very challenging for our judges to limit their film selections. The quality has been that strong. There is no question that during this year’s Festival we will have some very thoughtful new cinematic work that will inspire and encourage audiences to respond,” added Demetria J. Carr, RIIFF Managing Director
 
Some CINEMATIC highlights during opening night:
 
Toute Ma Vie (The Story Of My Life), directed by Pierre Ferriere hails from France. The story follows Alessandra who is walking in the city when she is hailed by a man she doesn't recognize even though he keeps telling her about important moments of her life. Something is not quite right.
 
From Germany and Tanzania comes the world premiere of the provocative, Wenn Bäume Puppen tragen (If trees carry dolls), directed by Ismail Sahin. The story tells of cultural identity coming in conflict with modern Western sensibilities.
 
Making its New England premiere is the British short The Man Who Married Himself
Directed by Garrick Hamm. Hilariously funny, the film follows the life of Oliver, mid-forties, is fed up of failed relationships so he decides to get married – to himself. Richard Grant plays the frustrated bridegroom.
 
Day Before Yesterday, directed by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Chica, is a film noir focusing on a young woman who is found nearly dead on the streets of Montreal. She has no recollection of who she is or how she got there, but when a man comes forward to identify himself as her husband, she makes a crucial decision about her future.
 
A famous flying circus mouse reflects on his humble beginnings in this high-altitude adventure in aerodynamics with the crowd-pleasing, The Mouse That Soared, directed by Kyle Bell.
 
ABOUT THE EVENING:
The Opening Night Soirée will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the VMA Arts & Cultural Center. Admission to this event is $25 per person. The opening night will also serve as a partial fund-raiser for the Joseph & Viola Marshall Scholarship Fund, which was created to underwrite education in the media arts for regional students.
 
The evening of exceptional films will be topped off with a chaser of great company and talk. The Post Premiere Party will be held in the lobby area and mezzanine of the VMA. This event will begin immediately following the screenings and continue until 11:30 PM. Guests will enjoy a night of festivities with an international flavor as RIIFF pays tribute to its visiting filmmakers from around the world.
 
AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:
 
This year, the Festival will present two industry awards:
 
• Jonathan Katz, Actor, CREATIVE VISION AWARD Celebrating the passion of creativity within the world of creative media: The Rhode Island International Film Festival recognizes outstanding directors, actors, and film talent for their contributions to the art of filmmaking with this semi-annual award. Past recipients have included: Blythe Danner, Michael Corrente, Rosa von Praunheim, Elaine Lorillard
 
• Jon and Betty Jane Berberian, George M. Cohan Ambassador Award. Presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose work, passion, and drive epitomizes a level of excellence which reflects creatively on their Rhode Island roots.  Named after famed Providence entertainer George M. Cohan, who was born on the 4th of July, this award honors truly unique Americans who have made a timeless contribution to the arts and have inspired future generations of Rhode Islanders. The last recipient if this award was Oscar nominee, Richard Jenkins.
 
Additionally, throughout the week, RIIFF will be hosting numerous World and US/North American Premieres. These include:
 
Feature:
·       Boy Wonder, directed by Michael Morrissey (U.S.)
·       Cup Cake, directed by Colin McIvor (Ireland/United Kingdom)
·       Forget Me Not, directed by Alexander Holt (United Kingdom)
·       The Presence, directed by Tom Provost (U.S.)
·       The Seminarian, directed by Joshua Lim (U.S.)
·       Sleather, directed by Anthony Ambrosino (U.S.)
 
Documentary:
·       Afghanistan: Defying Silence, directed by Stacia Teele & Ed Robbins (Afghanistan)
·       Behind the Hedgerow, directed by Directed by David Bettencourt & G. Wayne Miller (U.S.)
·       Berliner, Kim Nelson directed by (Canada/Germany)
·       Blau Jeans, directed by Meaghan Kimball (Germany/U.S.)
·       Das Beethoven-Projekt (The Beethoven Project),  directed by Christian Berger  (Estonia/Germany)
·       Esther & Me, directed by Lisa Geduldig (U.S.)
·       Hidden Battles, directed by Victoria Mills  (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Nicaragua, Palestinian Territories, U.S. and United Kingdom)
·       Kinshasa Symphony, directed by Claus Wischmann & Martin Baer  (Germany/Congo)
·       L’Artigiano Glaciale (The Ice Sculptor), directed by Alberto Meroni  (Switzerland)
·       Old House Soul, directed by Don Manley & Michel Schtakleff (U.S.)
·       One Night in Turin, directed by James Erskine (United Kingdom)
·       One Thousand Pictures: RFK’s Last Journey, directed by Jennifer Stoddart (U.S./United Kingdom)
·       Wagner & Me, directed by Patrick McGrady (United Kingdom, Germany, Russian Federation, Switzerland)
 
The Rhode Island International Film Festival is supported in part by the Providence Tourism Council, WJAR TV10, The Providence Phoenix, Stella Artois, Sony, HB Communications, NewEnglandFilm.com, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), Equity Action, the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH), The Rhode Island Film & Television Office, Amtrak, URI's College of Arts and Sciences, URI's Feinstein College of Continuing Education, the URI Film Media Program, Roger Williams University, PMA Industries, Rule Boston Camera, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and contributions from members and community supporters.
 
THE FLICKERS’ BACKSTORY & MISSION:
The mission of the Flickers, the Newport Film Society & Arts Collaborative - now in its 29th 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 65 film festivals worldwide which share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England. The next Festival will take place August 10-15, 2010. For more information about the festival, please visit www.rifilmfest.org.