RHODE ISLAND SCREEN 289 FILMS AT 12TH ANNUAL EVENT.
August 4th 2008 07:36
With films and filmmakers arriving from across the globe, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) kicks off its12th Annual event presenting 289 feature length, documentary and short films to be screened over a six-day period. The Festival runs August 5-10th. This year's Festival will showcase cinematic work submitted from 53 countries. RIIFF will present 58 World Premieres and 41 US Premieres. Following months of adjudication and review, Festival films have been selected from a whopping entry base of 3,000 submissions.
"It's a pretty sensational year for us," said RIIFF Executive Director George T. Marshall, "We have films from all over the world that our audiences will definitely enjoy. They're not just going to be popcorn entertainment. We have some very thoughtful pieces that will inspire, and hopefully encourage audiences to take action."
For the second year in a row, the Festival's opening night will Premiere at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), the elegant and historical 3,300-seat theater. The evening will mark the Premieres of major new works. Actor, John Ratzenberger will be the Master
of Ceremonies for the evening. This year, the venue will feature High Definition projection.
Since RIIFF is one of only 61 film festivals world wide that is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) the Opening Night has become a crowd-pleasing salute to the Art of the Short Film. The work selected to be screened this year on
Tuesday, August 5th, includes: Chris Jones' World Premiere, "Gone Fishing," from the United Kingdom; Steph Green's "New Boy" from Ireland; Taron Lexton's "Struck," from the United States; Bill Block's "The Drummer, from the United States; Mark Lapwood's "Eclipse," from Austrialia and India;
RIIFF has received national and international recognition and is a qualifying festival with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Films to be presented at RIIFF have come from all over the world. From an entry base of over 3,000 films, RIIFF 2008 films have come from every corner of the globe including Antarctica. Fifty three countries in all will be represented.
The George M. Cohan Ambassador Award will be presented to Rhode Island actor, Richard Jenkins.
The George M. Cohan Ambassador Award is 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. Cohen, 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.
"Throughout his exceptional career, Mr. Jenkins has brought a unique and independent voice to the film industry through a vast body of work that reflects the values associated with George M. Cohan and celebrated with this award," said RIIFF's George T. Marshall.
Richard Jenkins has become one of the most in-demand character actors in Hollywood.
He snagged his first role as early as 1975, in the TV movie "Brother to Dragons," but did not begin working regularly until a small role in the Lawrence Kasdan film "Silverado" (1985). Supporting work in such films as "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986), "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987), and "Sea of Love" (1989) followed, and Jenkins spent the early '90s specializing in made-for-TV movies, including the adaptation of Randy Shilts' AIDS opus
"And the Band Played On" (1993). He has also worked on cuch comedies as Something about Mary and which has led to his working closely over the years with the Farris Brothers.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR 2008
Returning to this year's Festival is a two-day Forum dedicated to addressing the ins, outs and technology of shooting a film in the Ocean State. Called the Rhode Island Film Forum, the event will take place August 7-8, 2008 (two morning program) at the URI
Feinstein Campus, Providence.
Also returning to the Festival is SCRIPTBIZ. Slated for August 4-5, 2008 at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, this popular symposium addresses the ins and outs of screenwriting. ScriptBiz is a two-day workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of being a scriptwriter.
THE FILMS SCHEDULED TO PLAY RIIFF 2008
The RIIFF 2008 Features to the screened at the Festival include: "THE ABDUCTION OF JESSE BOOKMAN" directed by Ezra Gould, 96 min., (USA);
"BLACKSPOT" directed by
Ben Hawker, 80 min. (New Zealand), World Premiere;
"CHASING THE WHITE DRAGON" directed by Kathilynn Phillips, 95 min. (USA) World Premiere;
"CONJURER" directed by Clint Hutchison, 86 min. (USA), East Coast Premiere;
"DANCE OF THE DRAGON" directed by John Radel, 105 min. (China), East Coast Premiere;
"THE FULL PICTURE" directed by Jon Bowden, 80 min. (USA), World Premiere.
The RIIFF 2008 Documentary Features include:
"A NASHVILLE STATE of MIND" directed by John-Martin Vogel, 83 min. (USA), North American Premiere;
"AMERICAN IDEALIST: THE STORY OF SARGENT SHRIVER" directed by Bruce Orenstein, 88 min. (USA);
"AN UNLIKELY WEAPON" directed by Susan Morgan Cooper, 98 min. (USA);"AT HOME WITH THE CLEARYS" directed by Alison Millar, 86 min. (Ireland), US Premiere;
"BAGHDAD DIARY" directed by Joseph and Sandra Consentino, 90 min. (IRAQ/USA); ""COMMIT TO THE LINE" directed by Rachelle Dermer, 92 min. (USA), World Premiere; "CRITICAL CONDITION" directed by Roger Weisberg, 82 min. (USA);
Many of the RIIFF Short Films screening at this year's Festival will be making their Premieres, among those are:
"ART IN DARKNESS" directed by Naomi Wise, 13 min.
(USA/Canada), World Premiere;
"BOTNIK!" directed by Jacqueline Smessaert Brennan, 11 min. (USA), World Premiere;
"DIRECTIONS" directed by Kasimir Burgess, 12 min. (Australia), North
American Premiere;
"ERGOTISM" directed by Stefan Rochfort, 12 min. (New Zealand), World Premiere;
"FATHER'S DAY" directed by Laurence Dunmore, 11 min. (USA), World Premiere; ""HABER" directed by Daniel Ragussis, 34 min. (USA), World Premiere; "HAKIM" directed by - US Premiere;
"HUGO" directed by Nicholas Verso, 15 min. (Australia), World Premiere;
"IKIGAI" directed by Brian Quigley, 15 min. (Canada/Japan), World Premiere;
"IL TORNEO (The Tournament)" directed by Michele Alhaique, 15 min. (Italy; "INSIDE THE OUTSIDE" World Premiere;
"MODEL RULES" directed by Ray Nomoto Robison, 10 min. (USA), World Premiere;
"ROMANS 12:20" directed by The Shammasian Brothers, 27 min. (United Kingdom), World Premiere;
"SANTA CLAUS IN BAGHDAD" directed by Raouf Zaki, 38 mins. (USA/Egypt), World Premiere; "THE
"THE CURSE OF MICAH ROOD" directed by Alex Asten, 29 min. (USA), World Premiere; "SONGE D'UNE NUIT DE NOËL (CHRISTMAS DREAM)" Directed by Jean - Cyril Rossier, 14 min. (France), World Premiere;
"THE POND" directed by Sonja Phillips, 15 min. (United Kingdom), World Premiere.
Ticket sales for screenings and special events are available through the RIIFF website
(www.RIFilmFest.org). Student, group, and senior discounts are also available but only in advance. To purchase tickets or obtain more information about any aspect of RIIFF, call 401- 861-4445; or write RIIFF, 268 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903;
email info@film-festival.org. or log onto
www. RIFilmFest.org.
"It's a pretty sensational year for us," said RIIFF Executive Director George T. Marshall, "We have films from all over the world that our audiences will definitely enjoy. They're not just going to be popcorn entertainment. We have some very thoughtful pieces that will inspire, and hopefully encourage audiences to take action."
For the second year in a row, the Festival's opening night will Premiere at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), the elegant and historical 3,300-seat theater. The evening will mark the Premieres of major new works. Actor, John Ratzenberger will be the Master
of Ceremonies for the evening. This year, the venue will feature High Definition projection.
Since RIIFF is one of only 61 film festivals world wide that is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) the Opening Night has become a crowd-pleasing salute to the Art of the Short Film. The work selected to be screened this year on
Tuesday, August 5th, includes: Chris Jones' World Premiere, "Gone Fishing," from the United Kingdom; Steph Green's "New Boy" from Ireland; Taron Lexton's "Struck," from the United States; Bill Block's "The Drummer, from the United States; Mark Lapwood's "Eclipse," from Austrialia and India;
RIIFF has received national and international recognition and is a qualifying festival with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Films to be presented at RIIFF have come from all over the world. From an entry base of over 3,000 films, RIIFF 2008 films have come from every corner of the globe including Antarctica. Fifty three countries in all will be represented.
The George M. Cohan Ambassador Award will be presented to Rhode Island actor, Richard Jenkins.
The George M. Cohan Ambassador Award is 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. Cohen, 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.
"Throughout his exceptional career, Mr. Jenkins has brought a unique and independent voice to the film industry through a vast body of work that reflects the values associated with George M. Cohan and celebrated with this award," said RIIFF's George T. Marshall.
Richard Jenkins has become one of the most in-demand character actors in Hollywood.
He snagged his first role as early as 1975, in the TV movie "Brother to Dragons," but did not begin working regularly until a small role in the Lawrence Kasdan film "Silverado" (1985). Supporting work in such films as "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986), "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987), and "Sea of Love" (1989) followed, and Jenkins spent the early '90s specializing in made-for-TV movies, including the adaptation of Randy Shilts' AIDS opus
"And the Band Played On" (1993). He has also worked on cuch comedies as Something about Mary and which has led to his working closely over the years with the Farris Brothers.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR 2008
Returning to this year's Festival is a two-day Forum dedicated to addressing the ins, outs and technology of shooting a film in the Ocean State. Called the Rhode Island Film Forum, the event will take place August 7-8, 2008 (two morning program) at the URI
Feinstein Campus, Providence.
Also returning to the Festival is SCRIPTBIZ. Slated for August 4-5, 2008 at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, this popular symposium addresses the ins and outs of screenwriting. ScriptBiz is a two-day workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of being a scriptwriter.
THE FILMS SCHEDULED TO PLAY RIIFF 2008
The RIIFF 2008 Features to the screened at the Festival include: "THE ABDUCTION OF JESSE BOOKMAN" directed by Ezra Gould, 96 min., (USA);
"BLACKSPOT" directed by
Ben Hawker, 80 min. (New Zealand), World Premiere;
"CHASING THE WHITE DRAGON" directed by Kathilynn Phillips, 95 min. (USA) World Premiere;
"CONJURER" directed by Clint Hutchison, 86 min. (USA), East Coast Premiere;
"DANCE OF THE DRAGON" directed by John Radel, 105 min. (China), East Coast Premiere;
"THE FULL PICTURE" directed by Jon Bowden, 80 min. (USA), World Premiere.
The RIIFF 2008 Documentary Features include:
"A NASHVILLE STATE of MIND" directed by John-Martin Vogel, 83 min. (USA), North American Premiere;
"AMERICAN IDEALIST: THE STORY OF SARGENT SHRIVER" directed by Bruce Orenstein, 88 min. (USA);
"AN UNLIKELY WEAPON" directed by Susan Morgan Cooper, 98 min. (USA);"AT HOME WITH THE CLEARYS" directed by Alison Millar, 86 min. (Ireland), US Premiere;
"BAGHDAD DIARY" directed by Joseph and Sandra Consentino, 90 min. (IRAQ/USA); ""COMMIT TO THE LINE" directed by Rachelle Dermer, 92 min. (USA), World Premiere; "CRITICAL CONDITION" directed by Roger Weisberg, 82 min. (USA);
Many of the RIIFF Short Films screening at this year's Festival will be making their Premieres, among those are:
"ART IN DARKNESS" directed by Naomi Wise, 13 min.
(USA/Canada), World Premiere;
"BOTNIK!" directed by Jacqueline Smessaert Brennan, 11 min. (USA), World Premiere;
"DIRECTIONS" directed by Kasimir Burgess, 12 min. (Australia), North
American Premiere;
"ERGOTISM" directed by Stefan Rochfort, 12 min. (New Zealand), World Premiere;
"FATHER'S DAY" directed by Laurence Dunmore, 11 min. (USA), World Premiere; ""HABER" directed by Daniel Ragussis, 34 min. (USA), World Premiere; "HAKIM" directed by - US Premiere;
"HUGO" directed by Nicholas Verso, 15 min. (Australia), World Premiere;
"IKIGAI" directed by Brian Quigley, 15 min. (Canada/Japan), World Premiere;
"IL TORNEO (The Tournament)" directed by Michele Alhaique, 15 min. (Italy; "INSIDE THE OUTSIDE" World Premiere;
"MODEL RULES" directed by Ray Nomoto Robison, 10 min. (USA), World Premiere;
"ROMANS 12:20" directed by The Shammasian Brothers, 27 min. (United Kingdom), World Premiere;
"SANTA CLAUS IN BAGHDAD" directed by Raouf Zaki, 38 mins. (USA/Egypt), World Premiere; "THE
"THE CURSE OF MICAH ROOD" directed by Alex Asten, 29 min. (USA), World Premiere; "SONGE D'UNE NUIT DE NOËL (CHRISTMAS DREAM)" Directed by Jean - Cyril Rossier, 14 min. (France), World Premiere;
"THE POND" directed by Sonja Phillips, 15 min. (United Kingdom), World Premiere.
Ticket sales for screenings and special events are available through the RIIFF website
(www.RIFilmFest.org). Student, group, and senior discounts are also available but only in advance. To purchase tickets or obtain more information about any aspect of RIIFF, call 401- 861-4445; or write RIIFF, 268 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903;
email info@film-festival.org. or log onto
www. RIFilmFest.org.
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