RIIFF WINS NEW ENGLAND EMMY FOR ITS 2007 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS / FESTIVAL PROMOTIONS

PROVIDENCE, RI (May 11, 2008) The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) won a New England Emmy Award for its promotional campaign that showcased the Oscar-qualifying event. The trophy was presented in the packed ballroom of the Boston Marriott Copley Place for the 31st Annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards.

The Board of Governors of the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences notified RIIFF in April about the nomination for the Community/Public Service (PSAs) Campaign. The nominated categories were judged by industry peers from the Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-America Chapters of the National Academy.

The promotional campaign featured two spots. Entitled "No Excuses," the PSAs was created and directed by Providence resident, William Smyth. Miraj Berry wrote the script and composed the score, while George T. Marshall, Executive Director of RIIFF served as the Producer. The campaign featured the talents of Richard Donnelly and Phyllis Kay of Trinity Repertory Company. The spots aired in July and August 2007 on WJAR TV, Rhode Island’s NBC affiliate.

“This campaign would not have existed without the creativity and commitment of William Smyth and Miraj Berry,” noted Newport resident, George T. Marshall, who accepted the award. “The edgy, memorable spots have served to brand the Festival and created quite a buzz when they were released last year.”

Marshall noted that he and Smyth have worked together since 1986 when Smyth was a film studies major at Rhode Island College and he was an Assistant Professor of Communications. 

“Bill has always had an amazing visual sensibility and his work continually surprises and inspires me,” Marshall noted. 

This marks the third time Public Service Announcements produced by RIIFF been nominated for Emmy Awards. This marks the second win. All spots were created and directed by William Smyth.

Also winning an Emmy that evening was Rhode Island director, Cherry Arnold. Her film, “Buddy: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Notorious Mayor,” which aired on WJAR, had its World Premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2005 where it won the Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Award.

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers.  Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a week-long extravaganza.  Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 300 films.  Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. This year’s Festival takes place August 5-1 (...)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 25, 2008)– The Rhode Island International Film Festival and its producer, the Flickers Arts Collaborative, embrace the rich diversity of its community and proudly support local non-profit organizations. This year, two special programs will be offered to support non-profits in Rhode Island: The 2008 RIIFF Community Outreach Program and the Adopt-a-Film Initiative. These were created with the idea that film offers new perspectives and possibilities for an ever-changing world.

Program Backstory:

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.

“Non-profits are always at risk regarding funding, particularly in the present economy” said George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s Executive Director/CEO. “Our intent with this program is to not only reach out to regional non-profits and build synergy, but also issue a challenge to other non-profits to cross-promote and support one another in a similar fashion.

“We see this as a win-win situation,” continued Marshall. “RIIFF builds an audience for our visiting filmmakers and ensures that all seats are filled while partner non-profits gain recognition and raise needed money.

“We have found, and it is at the core of our mission, that collaboration yields not only positive results, but makes for a better community for everyone.”

The Benefits:

The RIIFF Community Outreach Program has one purpose: provide tickets to the Festival’s high profile Opening Night Festivities, which this year will again occur at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), and help other members of the non-profit community.

According to Marshall, “In tangible terms, a RIIFF donation of 50 seats at our opening night event would yield $1000 for the partner non-profit. They would keep the entire amount.”

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.

Additionally, through the RIIFF Adopt-a-Film Program, eligible non-profits are provided with packages of festival tickets that they can sell, give away, or use for whatever purposes they deem appropriate to either raise money or awareness. The organizations keep 100 percent of whatever they generate.

If your non-profit organization is interested in participating in the 2008 RIIFF Community Outreach Program and Adopt-a-Film Initiative and becoming a Festival partner, please e-mail George T. Marshall, Executive Director at georget@film-festival.org (...)

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) – is very proud to report that it has received a nomination for a New England Emmy Award. RIIFF was recently notified by The Board of Governors of the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences about the nomination in the category of Community/Public Service (PSAs) Campaign.

The campaign featured two spots. Entitled "No Excuses," it was created by William Smith, Director; Miraj Berry, Writer/Composer; and George T. Marshall, Producer. The spots featured the talents of Richard Donnelly and Phyliis Kaye of Trinity Repertory Company. They aired in July and August 2007 on WJAR TV.

This marks the third time PSA's produced by RIIFF have gone on to be nominated for Emmy Awards. There has been one win. All spots were directed by William Smyth.

The 31st Boston / New England Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at the Boston Marriott Hotel, Copley Place, Grand Ballroom, 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival’s 2007 Audience Choice Award Winner Screens at Prestigious Sun Yat-sen University

PROVIDENCE, RI (April 9, 2008) – The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF)– New England’s largest film festival and its only Academy Award qualifying event – is pleased to announce the screening of “From The 50 Yard Line” at the prestigious Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China thanks to a special partnership between the two festivals.

“The Rhode Island International Film Festival takes great pride in helping filmmakers who play the Festival achieve success,” said George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s Executive Director.

“To that end, we have built a number of collaborative partnerships with film festivals across the globe which allows us to cross-promote, share work and actively encourage the screening of exceptional films that appeared in Rhode Island.”

“From The 50 Yard Line” won the Audience Choice Award at the 2007 RIIFF. The film documents the emotional story of two high school marching bands:  one an Ohio championship winner, the other a newly reborn city band from Los Angeles.

“We are excited that we have been able to subtitle the film in Chinese first and show it to audiences in China,” mentioned Dave Johnson, who produced the documentary film. “They appreciate the film and its story of young music students in the United States.”

Through RIIFF’s partnership with the Guangzhou Documentary Film Festival (GZDOC) – China’s largest documentary festival – top RIIFF documentaries have an opportunity to screen at the Chinese film festival. Additionally, RIIFF docs have been chosen by GZDOC to participate in the Sapphire Moving Image Salon traveling film series and special events for trade, cultural, and educational organizations.

“The mission of RIIFF is to discover and empower filmmakers,” commented Adam Short, Producing Director of RIIFF. “Our collaboration with GZDOC enables us to expand significantly on what we can offer to our filmmakers in terms of reaching a more diverse audience and wider exposure for their films. This is a unique opportunity for Chinese audiences to connect with Western filmmakers – and vice versa.”

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers.  Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a week long extravaganza.  Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 300 films.  Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. This year’s Festival takes place August 5-10, 2008.

For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162 (...)

JUNE 30TH DUE DATE FAST APPROACHING…

PROVIDENCE, RI (April 7, 2008)—No, we don’t want to see your Homer Simpson boxers. What we do want is your wittiest or most thoughtful mini-masterpiece, postmarked by June 30th 2008!

For the fifth year in a row, ScriptBiz—the screenwriting seminar of the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), August 5-10, 2008—will feature a Staged Reading of three Short Scripts of fifteen pages or fewer. The reading compliments two days of screenwriting workshops, which take place August 4-5th. Judges will select up to seven Finalists who will be listed on the website. Final Round Judges, including a NYC agent and two filmmakers, will select the Top Trio of Scripts from among the Finalists to be read by actors on Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Historic Columbus Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.

Screenwriters interested in submitting should surf over to the RIIFF website at:

http://www.RIFilmFest.org.

Three winners will be announced by email, on the website and in press releases by mid-July, and they will be listed in the festival’s magazine-style brochure. Plus, the trio of winners will each receive two passes to attend the entire ScriptBiz event as our guests. All for only a $30 entry fee!

But wait—there’s more: three winning authors will also receive two All Access Festival Red Carpet Passes to attend the Rhode Island International Film Festival events and screenings (a $900 value!). In addition, winners will be honored guests at a Meet-N-Greet of the authors and the actors following the Staged Reading.

So dust off your future academy winning short script and send it to us today. C’mon, don’t be shy—show us your shorts!

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers.  Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a week long extravaganza.  Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 300 films. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe.

For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org. The official website is located at (...)

NOTED AUTHOR INTRODUCES HIS LATEST NOVEL AND DISCUSSES THE CREATIVE ART OF FILM ADAPTATION

PROVIDENCE, RI (April 3, 2008) – The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) and Borders Bookstore host their monthly film forum on April 8th, 7:00 p.m. at the Borders Bookstore Providence Place Mall.

The Topic for the Evening: From Fiction to Film: Journeys in Imagined Lands with noted author, Scott Heim.

What are the sparks that ignite the flames of imagine? How does one adapt an internal dialogue to the broader realm of the stage and cinema?

Learn firsthand from author Scott Heim, who won fellowships to the London Arts Board as their International Writer-in-Residence, and to the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. His acclaimed first novel "Mysterious Skin" was adapted for the stage, premiering in San Francisco; and was subsequently adapted to film by director Gregg Araki and Antidote Films.

Scott will introduce and read from his new novel "We Disappear;" a fascinating psychological thriller that tackles questions of identity, illness and trauma. Scott will then answer questions about seeing his work made into a feature film and the journey that entailed.

The Forum also will feature author/filmmaker, Edward Delaney and will be hosted by Adam Short, RIIFF's Producing Director. The event is free and open to the general public.

ABOUT SCOTT HEIM:

Scott Heim was born in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1966. He grew up in a small farming community there, and later attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, earning a B.A. in English and Art History in 1989 and an M.A. in English Literature in 1991. He attended the M.F.A. program in Writing at Columbia University, where he wrote his first novel, Mysterious Skin. HarperCollins published that book in 1995, and Scott followed it with another novel, In Awe, in 1997 

Scott has won fellowships to the London Arts Board as their International Writer-in-Residence, and to the Sundance Screenwriters Lab for his adaptation of Mysterious Skin. He is also the author of a book of poems, Saved From Drowning (1993).

After living eleven years in New York, he relocated to Boston in 2002. Mysterious Skin was adapted for the stage, premiering in San Francisco; it was subsequently adapted to film by director Gregg Araki and Antidote Films. Scott's third novel is We Disappear (HarperCollins), published in February 2008.

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE:

WHAT: RIIFF/Borders Film Forum: From Fiction to Film: Journeys in Imagined Lands with noted author, Scott Heim. 

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th, 2008, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Borders Bookstore, Providence Place Mall, Providence, RI; (401) 270-4801. 

WHO: The Rhode Island International Film Festival, Flickers Arts Collaborative, and Borders Bookstore.

HOW MUCH: (...)

Acclaimed Film by Oscar Nominee, Adrian Belic to be Given a Special Preview Screening at the 2008 Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival

PROVIDENCE, RI (April 3, 2008) – Over the past four years, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has provided an opportunity for local audiences to see new cinematic work before being screened at the main Festival in August. Called the “First Look” series, many notable films had their “unofficial premieres” and went on gather acclaim, awards and distribution.

“Our ‘First Look series’ is about discovery,” noted George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s Executive Director. “We are very fortunate to see so much exciting new work that comes our way during the course of the year. Instead of restricting it to the six days of the Festival, we strongly believe that these films deserve as much exposure as possible and hence the creation of this sidebar.

On Friday, April 11th, the Festival will be presenting a powerful and thought-provoking new documentary by Academy Award nominated director, Adrian Belic. The film: “Beyond the Call,” which is also part of the month-long Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival that RIIFF produces.

“This film could not be more timely when citizens of the United States are addressing issues of globalization and the perception of Americans by the international community,” added Marshall.

About the Film:

Ed Artis, James Laws and Walt Ratterman are three middle-aged men whose idea of adventure is taking desperately needed food and medicine to communities devastated by natural disasters and plagued by war.

In 1995, they formed Knightsbridge International, a unique humanitarian aid organization, whose motto is 'High Adventure and Service to Humanity.' Artis explains: 'We're not there to change anybody's politics, we're not in the God business, and we pay our own way.' As Laws tells it simply, “We do what we can, when we can, because we can.”

These former soldiers and modern day knights travel the world delivering life saving humanitarian aid directly into the hands of civilians in some of the most dangerous yet beautiful places on Earth. Winner of thirty awards, this “Mother Teresa meets Indiana Jones” adventure has screened at over eighty film festivals on five continents.

And now it comes to Rhode Island.

About the Filmmaker:

Adrian Belic was born in America of Czechoslovakian and Yugoslavian parents, Adrian grew up in Chicago, Illinois, USA, but spent many summers behind the “Iron Curtain” in Eastern Europe speaking the languages and living with family and friends. This unique cross-cultural upbringing sparked his curiosity about the way people vi (...)

FESTIVAL COLLABORATES WITH LONG ISLAND GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT VIDEO LOUNGE

(Providence, RI March 30, 2008) The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) teams up with the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film to host the Original GLBT Expo’s Video Lounge, April 5 and 6TH, 2008 at the Jacob Javits Center, New York City. The Expo's attendance reaches 20,000 annually and attracts people from all over the world. The lounge will consist of 400 square feet on the floor of the Expo and will provide Expo attendees with entertainment and relaxation, showcasing New York and New England’s GLBT Film makers and the latest videos featuring the main stage performers.

“Every year, RIIFF participates at this respected Expo in the Big Apple where we promote the Festival, our GLBT sidebar and encourage visitors to come visit the Ocean State,” said George T. Marshall, Executive Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

“This year, along with our popular booth, we will be co-hosting the first-ever video lounge with our friends at the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. This promises to be an exciting event as many of our alumni filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions and present new work.”

“The video lounge is shaping up to be an exciting venue for film makers to connect to their audience, and publicize their latest films,” states Adam Short, RIIFF’s Producing Director.

“Thanks to the hard work of Stephen Flynn, director of the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, we will have NY film makers introducing trailers for their movies that will be premiering on the festival circuit this year, shorts films, and plenty of music videos. It promises to be an exceptional marketing opportunity and a means to promote the Ocean State as a GLBT-friendly destination.

“Our thanks to the City of Providence, the Providence/Warwick CVB, and the City of Warwick for their support,” added Mr. Short.

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers.  Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a week long extravaganza.  Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 300 films. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe.

For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org. The official website is located at www.RIFilmFest.org (...)

Statewide Screenings Focus on the Art of the Documentary

PROVIDENCE, RI (March 24, 2007)-- The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is proud to present its third annual Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival™. This month-long celebration of international documentaries will screen at locations across the state, including:  Westerly, Richmond, Providence, Warwick, Bristol, and Smithfield. A selection of short and feature documentaries will be shown and all screenings, unless otherwise noted, will be free of charge and open to the public.

“In keeping with the theme of this year’s film festival, the buzz word is ‘discovery’,” commented Adam Short, Roving Eye’s Producing Director. “We have films from across the globe, including a great series of award winning docs out of China’s prestigious Guangzhou Documentary Film Festival. Through film, our audiences will be exploring compelling ideas, new visions, and fresh perspectives.” 

The diverse lineup of films will feature two documentaries by Oscar nominated filmmakers Adrian and Roco Belic: “Beyond the Call” and “Genghis Blues”.  In collaboration with the Guangzhou Documentary Film Festival and the US-China Institute, Bryant University will host a series of Chinese documentaries covering topics about the environment, the Olympics, and Confucius