2008 RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL
HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS FOR THE NINTH ANNUAL EVENT

PROVIDENCE, RI (October 27, 2008) - The eerie, macabre and bizarre in the world of cinema are given their due with the wrap of the ninth Annual RI International Horror Film Festival through adjudicated awards. From an entry base of more than 250 entries, 47 films were screened during the cinematic symphony of horror, October 23-26th at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center in Providence. Attending this year were the cast and crew from "Sea of Dust" for its USA premiere, along with directors Scott Bunt, Max Landes, Philip Aceto, Tim Sanderson, Jacquie Schnabel and co-directors Joe DiGiorgi and Anthony Salerno of Headline Studio. Author K. Patrick Malone was also on hand and spoke about his latest book, “Inside a Haunted Mind.”

“This was an especially strong year for entries and quality genre films,” stated George T. Marshall, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which produces the Horror Festival sidebar. “One of our goals was to refocus the event this year and build a program with greater community appeal, which was achieved.

“From our newly commissioned concert “Malice Aforethought,” the HP Lovecraft Walking Tour to the horror book signing, we expanded our offerings while holding true to the mission of the Festival. In the end, it was a wonderful Festival.”

Winners of top prizes for the 2008 Festival:

Best Picture - "SEA OF DUST" (2008, U.S.A.) directed by Scott Bunt

tied with "EPITAPH" (2007, South Korea) directed by the Jung Brothers

Best Short - "AM 1200" (2007, U.S.A.) directed by David Prior

Best Documentary - " Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story" (2008, U.S.A.) dir. by Jeffrey Schwarz

Directorial Discovery - "Conjurer" (2008, U.S.A.) directed by Clint Hutchison

Best Student Film - "Kirksdale" (2008, 22 min., U.S.A.) directed by Ryan Spindell

Best New England - "The Curse of Micah Rood" (2008, U.S.A.) directed by Alec Asten

Best Makeup FX - "Eel Girl" (2008, New Zealand) directed by Paul Campion

The RI International Horror Film Festival will return next year: October 22-25th, 2009.

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Our Sponsors for 2008:

The URI College of Arts & Sciences, The Film Media Program, and the URI Feinstein College of Continuing Education are proud sponsors of the RI International Horror Film Festival.