Red Carpet Experience: Providence Gala to Benefit Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival
Event Kicks Off A Year Long Celebration Of The 37th Anniversary Of The Flickers Arts Collaborative
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (February 14, 2019) – Walk the Red Carpet. Pose for Paparazzi. Hobnob with members of the film industry. The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to The Providence Biltmore Hotel Grand Ballroom, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island on Oscar Night®, Sunday, February 24, 2019. Residents of New England can experience the thrills and surprises of the 91stAcademy Awards® at the 10th Annual Red Carpet Experience: Providence gala celebrating the 37th Anniversary of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, producers of the annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). The theme for the event not only salutes Disney’s Academy Award-nominated “Mary Poppins Returns” but the 66 films from the Festival nominated for Academy Awards since the Festival began and the top films nominated for this year’s Best Picture Award. The motif for 2019 will be modeled after the song “Nowhere to Go But Up,” and will feature live coverage by WLNE ABC6.
The Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) 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 Live Action, Documentary Short Film and Animated Short Academy Awards through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). There are only 10 film festivals worldwide that share this distinction. The Festival takes place every August.
“Oscar Night is my favorite time of year as we celebrate cinema and the very best crop of motion pictures made by the world’s greatest moviemakers,” said Steven Feinberg, Honorary Chair. “The stars will be shining as our glamorous guests stroll past the paparazzi and enter this year’s magical Red Carpet Experience. The blockbuster evening will include a welcome reception for this year’s Producer Circle Award winners, tasty hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, live music, a Hollywood silent auction, a gourmet dinner, delicious desserts and most importantly, a big screen, ballroom viewing of the 91st Annual Academy Awards.”
Feinberg continues, “Help us also cheer on Rhode Island native and superstar director, Peter Farrelly whose film “The Green Book ”is up for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay!”
Tickets for the event are $125@ and can be purchased at this URL: http://www.film-festival.org/
This year, nine (9) films that premiered at the 2018 Festival are in contention for Academy Awards. Since RIIFF became an Oscar®-qualifying Festival, 66 films that premiered at the Festival have received nominations and ten have won Academy Awards.
2018 NOMINATIONS:
Live Action Short:
“Marguerite,” (RIIFF official nominee), Marianne Farley and Marie-Hélène Panisset
“Fauvre,” Jeremy Comte and Maria Gracia Turgeon
“Mother,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen and María del Puy Alvarado
Documentary Short:
“End Game,” Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
“Lifeboat,” Skye Fitzgerald and Bryn Mooser
“A Night at the Garden,” Marshall Curry
Animated Short:
“One Small Step,” (RIIFF official nominee), Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas
“Weekends,” Trevor Jimenez
“Late Afternoon,” Louise Bagnall and Nuria González Blanco
The evening will also include several awards to local members of the film, non-profit and arts community in the Ocean State:
THE GEORGE D. GANNETT AWARD
Presented annually in celebration of the LGBTQ community, recognizing excellence in writing, directing, acting, music, dance, design and creativity in the world of film arts. Named in honor of former Flickers’ Board member, George Draper Gannett, who helped steer the organization towards its multi-tiered arts focus and community outreach.
• Rev. Nancy H. Soukup
Multi-faith Minister, Roger Williams University
THE 2019 PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARD HONOREES:
Presented to members of the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. These Friends of the Festival have had a significant impact on the growth, evolution and quality of what has become RIIFF as well as the arts and humanities locally, nationally and internationally.
• Eugene Lee, Scenic Designer
• Nicholas A. Mattiello, Speaker of the House, Rhode Island
• Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata, Animators
• Joe Rossi, Makeup Design and Special Effects
• Teamsters Local 251, Transportation for Film and TV Productions
• Rose Weaver, Actress and Singer
The Honorary Chairs for the Red Carpet Experience: Providence are Steven Feinberg, Executive Director/RI Film & Television Office and Michael Drywa, Esq. RIIFF Advisory Board President. Hosts for the evening from WLNE ABC6 are John Deluca and Christina Meyers, with Doreen Scanlon undertaking live interviews during the half hour segments.
The elegant catered dinner is provided by the Biltmore Hotel and Just Ellen’s Catering; Stage and Set Design by Quality Rental; Media Design by Timothy Haggerty; Audio & Video Services by Event Audio Visual, LLC, Salem NH; Desserts by Carina e Dolce Specialty Cakes & Cookies, Sin Bakery, Wildflour Bakery, Knead Doughnuts, A&J Bakery, PVD Doughnuts, and Seven Stars Bakery. Music for the evening will be provided by Billy Quirk, piano.
To learn more about this year’s Red Carpet Experience: Providence or to order tickets, visit www.RIFilmFest.org or call 401.861.4445.
The Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival will take place August 6-11, 2019 at The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts, Providence and locations across the state of Rhode Island.