Rhode Island International Film Festival Opens Aug. 7
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
It's movie season starting next week, when FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) rolls out the red carpet for its 16th-annual Opening Night screening and celebration, Tuesday, August 7. That night kicks off 6 days and nights of screenings, meetings and greetings, featuring more than 200 films selected from more than 4,000 entrants.
RIIFF's opening night screening is a showcase for the RIIFF's hand-selected best short film submissions and features programming that "will inspire, challenge and illustrate the talent of the participants who define New England's largest and only Academy Award-qualifying film festival," according to organizers.
See them in RI first
The judges here know how to pick them. In 2011, five of the films that premiered at RIIFF went on to receive Academy Award nominations, and two came away as winners: (“The Shore” directed by Terry George and “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” directed by William Joyce.)
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis year's schedule of films is available and updated regularly, online, here.
Opening night gala
Presiding over this year's gala is RIIFF Advisory Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq. and Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film & Television Office who will be joined by Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. The RIIFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARD will be presented to Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold (Maine) for her screenplay “Raising Rufus: A Maine Love Story." The ROGER WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT VOICE AWARD will then be presented to Trinity Repertory Actor, Barbara Meek by Maia Farish, wife of Roger Williams University President, Donald Farish. The award is presented semi-annually to an outstanding artist whose vision promotes tolerance, compassion and understanding.
Then the Festival kicks off in earnest with seven short cinematic gems:
- ASAD directed by Bryan Buckley | South Africa
- Trotteur directed by Arnaud Brisebois & Francic Leclerc | Canada
- Pesaran-e-Buzkashi (Buzkashi Boys) directed by Sam French | Afghanistan
- Friend Request Pending directed by Chris Foggin (starring Judi Dench) | United Kingdom
- BRÛLEURS (Burners) directed by Farid Bentoumi | France
- Mannen fra isødet (The Devil's Ballroom) directed by Henrik Martin K. Dahlsbakken | Greenland, Norway
- J'aurais pu être une pute (I could've been a hooker) directed by Baya Kasmi | France
Following the film screening, audience members are invited to a celebration gala at The VETS. Featuring mouthwatering desserts provided Decadent Catering and beverages from Providence Coffee Roasters 12NtM, Sparkling Beverage, Stella Artois and Empire Soda. Critically acclaimed local artist, William Quirk, will supply the music.
Tickets for the screening only are $15. Tickets for the combined Opening Night Screening and Celebration Gala are $30. Purchase tickets online here. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door for the screening. The Box Office will open at 5:00 p.m. before the show.
For more information on RIIFF's complete schedule of films and events, and to download a complete festival program guide, go to www.RIFilmFest.org.
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