FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS 2018 AWARD WINNERS
Diverse Group of 295 International Films Shine at Academy-Award Qualifying Festival
(Providence, R.I. • Aug. 12, 2018) – Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) proudly announced the Award Winners for its 36th Anniversary Celebration of Flickers, on Sunday, August 12, 2018. The Annual Awards Ceremony was held at The Metcalf Auditorium, RISD Museum in downtown Providence, RI. This year’s Festival ran from August 7-12 and ended with another record-breaking year. Venues were located across the state of Rhode Island – from Newport, Tiverton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Woonsocket to Warwick — with the capital city Providence serving as the hub for the film-centric activities.
The Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), a major destination on the Festival circuit and recognized by the Academy as a Qualifying Festival in all short film categories, welcomes stellar filmmaking talents from all over the world to beautiful Providence, Rhode Island—one of America’s oldest and most beloved cities. RIIFF embraces both filmmakers and screenwriters with the sort of warm-hearted spirit that fosters long-lasting friendships, sparks exciting creative projects, and inspires artists to return again and again. The World Premiere of Chris Overton’s “THE SILENT CHILD” took place at RIIFF last year, received the Festival’s Grand Prize and Academy nomination, and went on to receive the coveted Oscar® (https://vimeo.com/262490275). It’s little wonder that Chris Gore’s Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide praises RIIFF as “the kind of intimate festival experience that will change your life.”
“Thanks to Steven Feinberg, the Rhode Island Film & Television Office; Kristen Adamo at the Providence/Warwick CVB; Stephanie Fortunato with the City of Providence; Cecile Vulliemin, Swissnex Boston; Michael Vallee, the French Consulate of Boston; Josee-Anne and Laurence Gagnon, Quebec Delegation; Don Curtin and Kelly Johnston, Channel 6; Ashley Erling, The Rhode Show; Adam Olenn, Moses Brown School; Alan Chile, PPAC; Ed Mastriano, Cox Media; Brendan Chipley Roane, Rooftop at the Providence G; Alexis Gorriaran, Providence Tourism Council, Aarin Clemons, The Dean Hotel;Todd Trebour, RISCA; and iconic actress Marlyn Mason, we knocked the ball out of the park, raising the bar for the future and next year’s edition of the Festival,” said George T. Marshall, Flickers’ Executive Director. “It was a true pleasure to host over 300 international filmmakers, cast and crew who experienced true Rhode Island hospitality.”
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, said “Splendiferous is the word which best conjures the week that was the 2018 Rhode Island International Film Festival. From the spectacular opening night of packed guests and a variety of cinematic delicacies at the palatial Providence Performing Arts Center to hundreds of international filmmakers hugging out their new friendships at the emotional awards ceremony at the RISD Museum Metcalf Center, this festival is truly one the globe’s greatest treasures. On behalf of the State of a Rhode Island and our local film community, I want to congratulate Executive Director George T. Marshall for his perseverance and vision and Shawn Quirk for his tasteful programming along with the professional staff of volunteers and supporters who make the Rhode Island International Film Festival world-renowned, and home of film exploration with heart. “
Director Feinberg continued, “Last year, the world premiere of “Silent Child” happened right here in Providence and the short film went on to win the Academy Award. I would not be surprised if one of these esteemed movies from this year’s festival went on to win Oscar gold too because there is an undeniable truth—-The Rhode Island International Film Festival makes dreams come true.”
“This year, we received an incredible number of inspiring and thought-provoking international films. The talent of the filmmakers who shared their work with us was inspiring and blew us away. Storytelling through the film medium has shown us that we are witnessing a true global Renaissance in the arts. It is a distinct honor to be able to share these groundbreaking films with our audiences,” added Shawn Quirk, RIIFF’s Program Director.
FLICKERS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization that supports and promotes the film arts in Rhode Island and throughout New England. Over the past two decades, its production, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, has screened 5,105 independent films and videos out of 61,296 entries, presented 1,229 World/North American premieres, featured over 1,000 entries that were locally produced, and hosted 4,568 filmmakers and crew. Since its inception, over 430,000 film lovers have enjoyed the Rhode Island International Film Festival and its programming, not including those in New England watching its weekly broadcast and cable programming series, “doubleFEATURE.”
Over its six-day run, the Festival screened 295 films that included 84 World/United States Premieres from 48 countries including Denmark, Israel, Bosnia, Georgia (the country), Hungary, Australia, Iceland, Iran, Spain, Mexico, India, Italy, France, Ecuador and 34 states in the US. Some of the talent connected to this year’s Festival included Brian Cox (HBO’s “Succession”), Helena Bonham-Carter (the “Harry Potter” series), Gerard Depardieu, Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Rosanna Arquette, Thora Birch, Freddie Fox, JJ Field, Arthur Darvill (“Dr. Who’), Marlyn Mason, Toni Collette (“The Sixth Sense”), Matthew Goode, Jim Gaffigan, George Takei, Xander Berkeley, Annie Leibovitz, Charles Dance, James Norton, Michael Stahl-David (“Cloverfield”), Samuel L. Jackson (the Marvel Universe), Laraine Newman, Emilia Fox, Logan Lerman, Lukas Hassel, Maya Hawke, Dylan Baker, Willa Fitzgerald, Olivia Milch, Fionnula Flanagan, Michael Smiley, Suzanne Clément, D.W. Moffett, Alex Pettyfer, Sandy Boynton, Logan Miller, Anna Gunn (“Breaking Bad”), Samantha Mathis, Alex Karpovsky, Danielle Campbell, Daniel Rashid, Sarah Clarke, Mackenzie Astin, Jon Polito, Leonardo Nam (“Westworld”), Chris Cooper, Celine Held, Charlie David, Gemma Whelan, Jeany Spark, Daniel Rigby, Tom Cullen, Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”), Robert Capron (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”), and Emily Mortimer (Jane Banks in “Mary Poppins Returns”), to name a few. The films for this year’s Festival were selected from a record entry base of 6,591 submissions.
RIIFF is proud to be one of 10 Festivals in the world that is an Academy Award qualifier in the Live Action, Animation and Documentary Short categories and a qualifier with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). With vanguard programming that seeks to showcase new voices in independent filmmaking from across the globe, RIIFF serves as an exceptional platform from which to launch exciting careers for artists who deserve to be discovered. Ten films that have premiered at RIIFF have won Academy Awards with a total of 63 nominated, and many have gained distribution with the likes of HBO, Showtime, PBS, Netflix and IFC. A wide range of competitive categories—including Comedy, Drama, Horror, Children’s, LGBTQ, Documentary, Webisodes, Music Videos, Science Fiction, and Animated films—RIIFF offers entrants and audience members a veritable buffet of great stories, surprises, and narrative formats. There’s even a screenplay and teleplay competition, designed to give talented screenwriters some well-deserved industry credibility. At RIIFF, there’s no shortage of ways to get noticed and participate.
THE 2018 GRAND PRIZE SHORT FILM WINNERS:
The winners of RIIFF’s Live Action, Animation and Documentary Short Grand Prizes hold a special honor: they become the Festival’s nominees for Academy Award consideration.
LIVE ACTION SHORT: “Marguerite,” Directed by: Marianne Farley, Canada, 2017.
“Marguerite,” is the story of an aging woman and her nurse who develop a friendship that inspires her to unearth unacknowledged longing and thus help her make peace with her past.
ANIMATED SHORT: “One Small Step” | Directed by: Bobby Pontillas | China/USA, 2018.
“One Small Step” is an animation that tells the story of an ambitious young girl who aspires to be an astronaut with the support of her humble father.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: “Father K” | Directed by: Judd Ehrlich | USA, 2018.
The story concerns Palestinian Lutheran Pastor Khader El-Yateem who decides to become NYC’s first Arab-American elected official and the political establishment writes off his candidacy as a fantasy. But they underestimate “Father K”, who’s determined to unite Bay Ridge, the conservative Brooklyn neighborhood he calls home that is also the heart of the city’s Middle Eastern community. As Father K’s trailblazing campaign picks up steam, he must confront the harsh realities of electoral politics while trying to hold onto the optimism and hope that made his unlikely candidacy possible.
2018 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS & SPECIAL AWARDS:
GILBERT STUART ARTISTIC VISION (LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT) AWARD was presented to Joseph M. Alves, an American film production designer. He designed the three mechanical sharks for the movie Jaws (1975). Alves also designed three features for Steven Spielberg, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction and won the BAFTA for Best Art Direction for his work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
RI FILM & TELEVISION OFFICE DREAMMAKER AWARD
● Henry Bronchtein, Producer (“The Sopranos”)
RIIFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARD was presented to Barry Brennessel from Silver Spring, MD whose screenplay is entitled “ANH SANG.”
THE PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARDS are presented annually to members of the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. This year’s recipients include:
• Michael Braca, photographer;
• Judge Frank Caprio, Municipal Judge and television personality;
• Fr. Kenneth Gumbert, Educator/filmmaker;
• Mike Maino, Classical 95.9 FM WCRI;
• Dr. J. Scott Oberacker, RIIFF Educational Outreach Director;
• The Greenwich Odeum, East Greenwich Arts Center;
• The Rhode Show, daily morning news magazine;
• Libby Slader, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts;
• Niko Stamatakos, business sponsor/supporter; and
• Trinity Repertory Company, Tony Award winning Theatre
THE COMPLETE LIST OF 2018 FESTIVAL AWARDS FOLLOWS:
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND Prize: (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination)
“Marguerite” | Directed by: Marianne Farley | Canada, 2017.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “I almost always try to avoid the word “beautiful” when I critique art, but I guess sometimes you simply can’t reject it for any other critical terms. This is a deeply beautiful film, even with its frightening glimpses of the infirmity of old age. The script and editing could not be more perfect.”
FIRST Prize:
“The Collar” | Directed by: Viktoria Runtsova | Russia, 2017.
Tied with:
“Woe is Me” | Directed by: Simon Cartwright | United Kingdom, 2018.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION
GRAND Prize: (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination)
“One Small Step” | Directed by: Bobby Pontillas | China/USA, 2018.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Delightful. Brilliant. Touching. It left me in tears
FIRST Prize:
“Two Balloons” | Directed by: Mark C. Smith | USA, 2017.
Tied with:
“Negative Space” | Directed by: Max Porter & Ru Kuwahata | France, 2017.
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
GRAND Prize: (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination)
“Father K” | Directed by: Judd Ehrlich | USA, 2018.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Documentaries are only as strong as their subject, and Father K is an inspirational subject. In these times it’s important to remember that causes can be ignited by individuals but are sustained by communities. This is an important film.”
FIRST Prize:
“Zion” | Directed by: Floyd Russ | USA, 2017.
Tied with:
“Guns Found Here” | Directed by: David Freid | USA, 2018.
WINIFRED BROWNELL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
BACKGROUND:
Beginning on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, a special year long “Celebration of Women in Film and Arts” was launched by the Festival. In a recent study by The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, at San Diego State University, RIIFF was one of 23 “high profile” film festivals in the United States that was surveyed. What was striking about the study was that women accounted for 29 percent of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the indie films screened at the examined U.S. festivals in 2017-18. At the Rhode Island International Film Festival, that number was 41 percent with films selected by an international team of judges for quality, not a quota.
This year, the Festival’s percentage is even higher. Out of nearly 300 films screening at RIIFF, 193 were created by female writers, directors and producers. That number translates to 65% of all the films at this year’s Festival had a woman at the helm.
Here are the official numbers:
FEMALE DIRECTORS: 99
FEMALE PRODUCERS: 72
FEMALE EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: 22
= 193
FEMALE SCREENWRITERS: 18
FEMALE EDITORS: 48
FEMALE SOUND EDITORS: 14
= 80
TOTAL: 273
To celebrate this achievement, the Festival dedicated this year’s event to Dr. Winifred E. Brownell, a groundbreaking educator and Dean Emerita of the Arts and Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Her visionary work propelled the University to become a leading hub for film media studies and nurtured the Festival during its infancy, spurring it to become the internationally acclaimed event that it is today. The Festival is also establishing a $2,000 annual scholarship in her name that pays recognition to her career championing the arts and humanities at the University of Rhode Island and a leading female voice in higher education.
This year’s winner of the Award: Alyssa Botelho, a University of Rhode Island student in the Harrington School of Communication and Media.
BEST FEATURE
GRAND Prize:
“The Etruscan Smile” | Directed by: Mihal Brezis & Oded Binnun | United Kingdom, Switzerland, USA, 2018.
FIRST Prize:
“You Can Choose Your Family” | Directed by: Miranda Bailey | USA, 2018.
Tied with:
“BACK ROADS” | Directed by: Alex Pettyfer | USA, 2018.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
GRAND Prize:
“AMERICAN RELAPSE” | Directed by: Pat McGee & Adam Linkenhelt | USA, 2018.
FIRST Prize:
“The Push” | Directed by: Brian Niles & Grant Korgan, | USA, 2018.
Tied with:
“Snow Birds” | Directed by: Joannie Lafrenière | Canada, 2017.
FILMMAKER OF THE FUTURE AWARD
Presented to a filmmaker whose vision excites audiences and judges alike about the potential to produce compelling and successful films in the future.
Delphine Le Courtois, Director, “Upset Body” | Canada, 2018.
BEST ACTOR:
Michael Rouse, Actor/Director, “Geoff” | United Kingdom, 2018.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Original, moving, peaceful and lovely story complemented by a perfectly balanced and sensitive portrayal by Michael Rouse. In 20 minutes, he conveys the pathos of a sensitive soul who must overcome his greatest fear with passion and warmth.”
BEST ACTRESS:
Celine Held, Actor/Director, “Caroline” | USA, 2018.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A masterful performance filled with nuance and truth; one that stays with you long after the last frame has faded.”
BEST COMEDY SHORT
GRAND Prize:
“We Are the Freak Show” | Directed by: Philippe Lupien & Marie-Hélène Viens | Canada, 2018.
FIRST Prize:
“Chuchotage” | Directed by: Barnabas Toth | Hungary, 2018.
Tied with:
“Fern” | Directed by: Johnny Kelly | United Kingdom, 2017.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
GRAND Prize:
“Interstitial” | Directed by: Shunsaku Hayashi | Japan, 2017.
FIRST Prize:
“Triptych” | Directed by: Katia Lom | United Kingdom, 2018.
BEST DIRECTOR
GRAND Prize:
Pascal Plante, “Fake Tattoos” | Canada, 2017.
FIRST Prize:
Maggie Kiley, “6ate7” | Australia, 2018.
Tied with:
Ray Nomoto Robison “An Affair Remains” | USA, 2018.
DR. J. GERALD LAMOUREUX AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Presented to a filmmaker and artist who represents the spirit of cultural exchange between the United States and Canada.
“Modified” | Directed by: Aube Giroux | Canada, 2017.
DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD
GRAND Prize Feature:
“Rust Creek” | Directed by: Jen McGowan | USA, 2017
“Rust Creek” | Directed by: Jen McGowan | USA, 2017
GRAND Prize Short:
“Hero” | Directed by: Freddie Fox | France, United Kingdom, 2018
“Hero” | Directed by: Freddie Fox | France, United Kingdom, 2018
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
GRAND Prize:
Olivier Gossot, Cinematographer/DP, “Fauve” | Directed by: Jeremy Comte| Canada, 2018
FIRST Prize
Sarah Cunningham, Cinematographer/DP, “Flowers” | Directed by: Baptiste Petit-Gats | France, 2018
Tied with:
Kelly Jeffrey, Cinematographer/DP, “Hunting Incident” | Directed by: Matthew James Thompson| USA, 2018
CINEMA WITHOUT BORDERS AWARD
“Saving My Pig” | Directed by: Frank Dobrin | Bulgaria, 2018
THE CALL TO ACTION AWARD
A film promoting advocacy or awareness of a pressing social or cultural issue
GRAND Prize:
“American” | Directed by: Richie Adams | USA, 2018
FIRST Prize:
“Requiescat” | Directed by: S.J. Main Muñoz | Costa Rica, USA, 2018
THE NEXT GENERATION AWARD
Celebrating New Voices And New Perspective In Cinema
“eHero” | Directed by: Joseph Procopio | Canada, 2018
PRIX DU CINEMA SUISSE
“Maximilian” | Directed by: Nicholas Greinacher | Switzerland, 2016
THE MARLYN MASON AWARD
New voices, new perspectives by women in film
GRAND Prize:
“The Lost Ones” | Directed by: Les Egares | France, 2018
FIRST Prize:
“Mary Goes Round” | Directed by: Molly McGlynn | Canada, 2017
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY
Exploring narratives that showcase the dynamics of youth
GRAND Prize:
“Warriors of Sanita” | Directed by: Luca Nappa | United Kingdom, Italy, 2018
FIRST Prize:
“The Boy Who Wanted to Fly” | Directed by: Jorge Muriel | Spain, 2018
RIIFF NEW ENGLAND DIRECTOR’S AWARD
GRAND Prize:
“Good Morning” | Directed by: Elaine Mongeon | USA, 2017
Tied with:
“Warrior” | Directed by: Gene Pina | USA, 2017
RIIFF DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
“The Boy At Platform 3” | Directed by: Michael Daniel Vetter | Germany, Switzerland, 2018
HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS AWARD
Celebrating Films that Reflect the Jewish Experience.
GRAND Prize:
“Life Will Smile” | Directed by: Drey Kleanthous | Greece, Israel, United Kingdom, 2017
FIRST Prize:
“The Driver is Red” | Directed by: Randall Christopher | USA, 2017
Tied with:
“Oma” | Directed by: Bill Kirstein | USA, 2017
BEST EDITING
GRAND Prize:
Amelia Allwarden, Editor, “Lunch Ladies” | Directed by: J.M. Logan | USA, 2017
FIRST Prize:
Reema Senguptam, Editor, “Counterfeit Kunkoo” | Directed by: Reema Sengupta | India, 2017
Tied with:
Mindy Elliott, Editor, “Pie” | Directed by: Adria Tennor | USA, 2018
BEST SCREENPLAY
GRAND Prize:
“Find Me” | Directed by: Tom Huang | USA, 2018
FIRST Prize:
Tied with:
“One Cambodian Family Please for My Pleasure” | Directed by: A.M. Lukas | USA, 2018
FLICKERS’ AMBASSADOR AWARD
Presented to an individual who inspires and empowers communication and cultural understanding.
Michele Noble, Director, “Reclamation: The Rise at Standing Rock” | USA, 2018
FLICKERS’ INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Given annually to films or filmmakers who inspire social change and community outreach and strive to better the world in which we live.
GRAND Prize:
“QUAKERS: The Quiet Revolutionaries” | Directed by: Janet P. Gardner | USA, United Kingdom, 2018
FIRST Prize:
“2nd class” | Directed by: Jimmy Olsson | Sweden, 2018
PROVIDENCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Presented annually to a New England director whose work brings cinematic excellence to an international audience.
“TRE MAISON DASAN” | Directed by: Denali Tiller | USA, 2017
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (LGBTQ) SHORT
GRAND Prize:
“A Man My Son” | Directed by: Florent Gouëlou | France, 2018.
FIRST Prize:
“Fran This Summer” | Directed by: Mary Evangelista | USA, 2018.
Tied with:
“#hashtag” | Directed by: Atzin Ortiz Gonzalez | Mexico, 2017.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (FEATURE)
GRAND Prize:
“Retablo” | Directed by: Alvaro Delgado Aparicio | Peru, 2017.
FIRST Prize:
“Funny Story” |Directed by: Michael Gallagher | USA, 2017.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (DOCUMENTARY)
GRAND Prize:
“One Leg In, One Leg Out” | Directed by: Lisa Rideout | Canada, 2018.
FIRST Prize:
“Empire on Main Street” | Directed by: Jessica Congdon | USA, 2018.
KIDSEYE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
Presented to a film that resonates with the filmmaker within both children and adults alike.
BEST CHILDREN’S ANIMATION
GRAND Prize: (Feature)
“Sgt Stubby – American Hero” | Directed by: Richard Lanni | France, Ireland, USA, 2018
GRAND Prize: (Short)
“Tyrannosaurus Funk” | Directed by: Sandra Boynton | USA, 2017
FIRST Prize:
“Rising Waters In Underwood Springs!” | Directed by: Mathieu Auvray | France, 2017
LIVE ACTION
GRAND Prize:
“Space Girls” | Directed by: Carys Watford | United Kingdom, 2017
FIRST Prize:
“The Extraordinary World of Cecily Blinkstop” | Directed by: Jennifer Potts | USA, 2018
GREEN PLANET AWARD
Celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet.
GRAND Prize Feature:
“Secret Ingredients” | Directed by: Amy S. Hart & Jeffrey M. Smith | USA, 2018
GRAND Prize Short:
“The Kodiak Queen” | Directed by: Rob Sorrenti | United Kingdom / Virgin Islands (British), 2018
VORTEX SCI-FI & FANTASY AWARD
GRAND Prize:
“The Comet” | Directed by: Bård Røssevold | Norway, 2017
FIRST Prize:
“Invaders” | Directed by: Daniel Prince | United Kingdom, 2018
Tied with:
“ASIAN GIRLS” | Directed by: Hyun Lee | Australia, 2017
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD
COLLEGE
GRAND Prize:
“The Day That” | Directed by: Dorian Tocker | USA, 2017
FIRST Prize:
“SATAN” | Directed by: Carlos Tapia | Switzerland / Mexico, 2017
HIGH SCHOOL
GRAND Prize:
“memory” |Directed by: Mew Kano | Japan, 2018
First Prize:
“Blacked Out” | Directed by: Highland Park African-American History Project | USA, 2017
Tied with:
“The Homecoming Game” | Directed by: Andrew Gerstenblatt | USA, 2017
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
GRAND Prize:
“COPYSHOP” | Directed by: Jakob Grunert | Germany, Hong Kong, 2017
First Prize:
“Ode to life” | Directed by: Coline Declef | France, 2018
BEST TELEVISION PILOT
GRAND Prize:
Bhak – ‘Pilot’ | Directed by: Shreyom Ghosh & Arjun Chatterjee | India, 2018
First Prize:
“Man-Babies” | Directed by: Tyler Hollinger | USA, 2018
FLICKERS’ YOUTH FILM JURY AWARDS
Awards were presented by Will Ford and the 2018 Youth Film Jury members:
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND Prize:
“Wyrm” | Directed by: Christopher Winterbauer | USA, 2017
BEST ANIMATION
“The Death, Dad & Son” | Directed by: Vincent Parronaud | France, 2017
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
“TRE MAISON DASAN” | Directed by: Denali Tiller | USA, 2017
BEST FEATURE FILM NARRATIVE
“The Maestro” | Directed by: Adam Cushman | USA, 2017
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
“My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” | Directed by: Charlie Tyrell | Canada, 2017
BEST LGBTQ FILM:
“Marguerite” | Directed by: Marianne Farley | Canada, 2017
MOST POPULAR
“Souls of Totality” | Directed by: Richard Raymond | USA, 2018
SPONSORS FOR THE 2018 FESTIVAL INCLUDED: The Rhode Island Film & Television Office, WLNE ABC6, Eurochannel, Edge Media, WSBE RI PBS, The Rhode Island Foundation: Equity Action, RISD Museum, Unifrance, Panavision, Dominion Diagnostics, The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), Sony, IMDb.com, Withoutabox.com, Rule Boston Camera, IMCS, The Providence Chamber of Commerce, COX Media, Consulat de France á Boston, Swissnex Boston, Enterprise, The Vets, Providence Tourism Council, The University of Rhode Island (URI), Moses Brown School, The Harrington School of Communication and Media at URI, Roger Williams University, Johnson and Wales University, Providence College, Rooftop at the Providence G, Just Ellen’s Catering and Event Planning, Nico Bella’s Family Restaurant, Trinity Brewhouse, The Rosendale, The Salon, Ego Providence, Knead Doughnuts, Scialo Bros, Seven Stars Bakery, Sin Bakery, Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza, Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches, The Greatfull Bread Sandwich Shop, Narragansett Creamery, Newport Vineyards & Winery, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Vineyard Road, New Harvest Coffee, Granny Squibb’s Iced Tea, Empire Soda, Blount Fine Foods, Sweenor’s Chocolate Inc., Hartford Flavor Co., Mendon Wines & More, Willie’s Superbrew, Not Just Snacks, Olga’s Cup and Saucer, Vesta Bakery, PieZoni’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Aunt Leah’s Fudge, Spindrift Soap Co., McCormick Law Offices, Seaside Pharmacy, E. Frances Paper, Pippin Orchard, Hotel Providence, the Dean Hotel, the Providence Biltmore, newenglandfilm,com, the City of Providence and the Department of Arts, Culture + Tourism, and the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
ABOUT FLICKERS:
The mission of the 36 year-old Flickers Arts Collaborative is 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 and exhibition; audio recordings and broadcasts; educational outreach programs; and the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).
THE FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 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. Ranked as one of the top 10 Festivals in the United States, RIIFF is a qualifying festival for the Narrative, Documentary and Animation Short Film Academy Awards through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and the Canadian Screen Awards. There are only 10 film festivals worldwide that share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England. The Festival takes place every August.
MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
RIIFF offers a variety of prestigious awards to some of the most talented artists in (and soon to be in) the business. The festival’s Gilbert Stuart Artistic Vision Lifetime Achievement Award has been bestowed upon Academy Award-winning actors Ernest Borgnine and Patricia Neal, Oscar-nominated actors Seymour Cassel and Cicely Tyson, acclaimed actors of stage and screen, Paul Sorvino and Theo Bikel, director Blake Edwards, special effects icon, Douglas Trumbull, and production designer, Joseph M. Alves. The Festival’s Creative Vision and Crystal Image Awards recognizing outstanding directors, actors, writers, film talent, have been awarded to such talents as Karen Allen, Zach Braff, Blythe Danner, Ioan Gruffudd, Rosa von Praunheim, Michael Showalter, composer Klaus Badelt, and children’s book author Sandra Boynton. More than simply a film festival, RIIFF champions artistic vision in any form and is dedicated to sharing that vision with a diverse and enthusiastic audience that hungers for great storytelling.
The 2018 Festival was dedicated to Winifred Brownell, Former Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. For over 46 years Winnie enriched the research and academic programs of URI seeing her many years of work culminating with the founding of the Harrington School of Communication and Media. A member of the RIIFF Advisory Board, Dr. Brownell nurtured and supported the KidsEye Summer Filmmaking Camp that will be celebrating its 21st Anniversary next year.
The Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival returns August 7-12, 2018. For more information, please contact us at 401.861.4445 / rifilmfest.com