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Providence/Rhode Island Film Festival (RIIFF) to be Held August 9 - 13; Screenplay Contest deadline May 15

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 29, 2000): The fourth annual Brooks Pharmacy Providence/Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) will take place August 9-13, 2000 in various locations throughout the state. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond serves as honorary chairman and Brooks Pharmacy CEO Michel Coutu is festival chairman.

RIIFF one of only three broadly focused, independent festivals in New England accepting films of any type (dramatic, documentary, experimental) on any subject matter and in any genre. It is a juried competition and screening opportunity for independent filmmakers from all over the world. A panel of jurists, including Academy Award-winner Tom Ohanian, senior editor at Avid Corporation; Miles Prunier, film technician for Gorky Park and Liquid Sky; and Brian Heller, an award-winning cinematographer, as well as filmmakers, cinema professionals and others will judge and present the “Best” film awards in various categories at an Awards Gala Reception to be held on the last evening of the festival.

“The Providence/Rhode Island International Film Festival has experienced remarkable growth since its inception four years ago,” said Governor Lincoln Almond. “While bringing a world of cinema to Rhode Island, the festival showcases our state’s cultural and filmmaking resources to an international audience. In addition to screenings across the state, this year’s festival includes expanded educational opportunities and forums for artistic exchange. My congratulations and best wishes for continued success.”

Festival Directors George T. Marshall and Elisabeth Galligan have planned an expanded schedule of events and programs in cooperation with other film, tourism and community organizations under the RIIFF programming umbrella. Over 150 independent film titles will be screened during the five-day run, representing entries from the United States and other countries. Over 13,500 people are expected to attend film screenings and events including over 150 filmmakers and producers from around the world.

“Currently, film entries are 50% above last year and several filmmakers from the past as well as new entrants are working with us to shoot their films in Rhode Island,” states Mr. Marshall. “The festival will increase its web presence including a daily coverage on Filmfestivals.com, the number one site on movie events. Our affiliation with this Paris-based web service will handle our online judging, ticket sales and registration. We have also established partnerships with other film festivals in Montreal and Mississippi to exchange judges and films. We are fortunate to have the accolades and increased international recognition in the film exhibition marketplace and look forward to our exponential growth.”

Four new programs are being introduced for RIIFF 2000 as follows:

KidsEye, a filmmaking workshop for kids aged 7-15 which was introduced at last year’s festival, has been expanded into a summer day camp. This four-day camp will feature prominent guest artists from the industry who will focus on teaching kids the essentials of filmmaking. Working with sponsor Radio Disney, KidsEye will take place in the Newport and Providence area and will include a sloop ride to Rose Island, an outdoor concert, film screening and barbecue.

A Screenplay Competition has been added to RIIFF to celebrate the written word that serves as the creative foundation for all films. This will feature a cash award of $2,500 for the Grand Prize winner and a public reading in addition to other awards and honors for top adjudicated screenplays.

ScriptBiz is a business seminar for screenwriters which focuses on how to break into the screenwriting business and stay there. This new event will be held in the Warwick area in conjunction with the screenplay competition and will feature an informative “Selling to Hollywood” panel discussion, private pitching sessions, and script consultations.

RIIFF’s Marketing Communications Awards is a special competition run concurrently with the film festival call for entries. This will showcase the best in commercial advertising and promotional work for radio, television, web design and print. A display and exhibition of the top award winners will take place during the full week of RIIFF.

“This year’s festival will kick-off with our Opening Night Gala on August 9, 2000,” states Ms. Galligan. “Over the next four days we will hold breakfast seminars, film screenings at multiple venues, ‘meet the director’ question-and-answer sessions immediately following certain films, a Rhode Island Location Discovery Bus Tour throughout R.I. featuring key film shooting locations, and gala parties with special guest/celebrity networking receptions - all open to the general public. Our goal is to bring independent film art to all areas of our state and encourage patronage of this creative medium. Because film distributors use RIIFF to scout out new talent, many filmmakers have secured distribution contracts as a result of having their film screened here.”

RIIFF 2000 will be preceded by the acclaimed Take One, Two Three: Filmmaking with the Pros, a hands-on Film Production Master Class to be held August 7-8, 2000. A new line-up and new visiting guest director from Hollywood will participate in this two-day workshop for aspiring and experienced filmmakers.

Current RIIFF venues include the Avon Cinema, List/Solomon Auditorium, RISD Auditorium, Assembly Theatre, New England Institute of Technology, South County Center for the Arts, and satellite venues throughout the state including East Greenwich, Middletown, Jamestown, URI (Kingston), RWU (Bristol), Museum of Work & Culture (Woonsocket), and Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (Pawtucket).

“Last year, many directors and producers came from as far away as Sweden and Russia to see films, praising Rhode Island for hosting such a friendly, non-competitive and well-run film festival event,” said Mr. Coutu. “Although we have achieved international recognition, we retain our community roots through our solid volunteer base, local sponsors, and the support of civic leaders. Thanks to our energetic organizers, volunteers, and corporate sponsors, our festival continues to build on its foundation of excellence, education and achievement.”

Advance ticket sales for screenings and special events are now available. Student, group and senior discounts are available. To preregister for programs, purchase tickets, or obtain more information about any aspect of the Brooks Pharmacy Providence/Rhode Island International Film Festival, call (401) 861-4445.

Updated: 04/01/2000

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