SPRING “FIRST LOOK” FUNDRAISER BENEFITS
THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Special Screening Of Recent
Academy Award Nominated Shorts and New Work A Huge Hit
at Annual Birthday Blow-Out Event
EVENT PHOTOS: (coming)
PROVIDENCE, RI (March 19, 2006) –
The nature of a father/son relationship; a foster child
meeting his parents for the first time, a murder mystery
in a small rural town and the loss of a family farm
in Iceland, were some of the themes that played out
on the big screen when the Rhode Island International
Film Festival (RIIFF) presented its annual
Spring “First Look” Birthday Blow-Out Benefit
this month. Two of the films screened were
recently nominated for Academy Awards and one film won
for Best Animated Short. Both films were premiered at
RIIFF in 2005.
The special screenings took place on Saturday, March
18th at 7:30 PM. and are part of RIIFF”s 10th
Anniversary Celebration.
Adding to the cinematic fun, the evening event showcased
several new short films submitted to the 2006 RIIFF.
Of special note was a new work by actor, David Strathairn;
recent Academy Award nominee for Best Actor in “Good
Night and Good Luck,” that left the audience stunned
by the plot twists.
The “First Look” screening fundraiser was
co-sponsored by the Rhode Island International Film
Festival and the Flickers Arts Collaborative.
Designed as a family event and for lovers of world cinema,
this benefit presentation also featured our annual birthday
salute to supporters of the Festival. This year, RIIFF
applauded Jon and Betty Jane Berberian, owners of the
Columbus Theatre; RIIFF Board members, Larry Andrade,
from Pawtucket and Dr. Gerald Lamoureux of Woonsocket;
and staff member, Marc Olechnowicz. A cake cutting and
tribute followed the film screening.
 SOME
OF THE FILMS SCREENED:
The Last Farm
The stage is a remote valley, all the farms except one
have been abandoned. A sign of a collapsing culture,
giving up to the ever growing city culture. The vast
landscape, open sea and high mountains no longer provide
the idle living.
Director: Runar Runarsson, Reykjavik Iceland
AA Nominated for Live Action Short
The Moon and the Son
An autobiographical animated film (with the voices of
Eli Wallach and John Turturro) exploring the difficult
emotional terrain of father/son relationships as seen
through the filmkmaker's own turbulent relationship
with his father.
Director: John Canemaker, New York, NY
AA Winner Best Animated Short
The Shovel
When weekender Paul Mullin discovers his neighbor digging
a hole in the middle of the night, he writes it off
simply as a bizarre encounter... until the neighbor
and his cheating wife both disappear. Worried he's stumbled
onto more than he bargained for, Paul calls on the local
sheriff to help unearth the truth. And finds out that,
in this small town, some secrets are better left buried.
Director: Nick Childs, New York, NY
Foster
Seven year old foster child Zach has been waiting his
whole life for a mom and dad. Simultaneously, a parallel
story unfolds with a mysterious man. Could this be Zach’s
lucky day?
Director: Jonathan Newman, London, England
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE OF IT
The film screenings of RIIFF’s “First
Look” Birthday Blow-out Benefit occured
at the historic Columbus Theatre, (270 Broadway) in
Providence, RI. Programming took place on Saturday,
March 18th at 7:30 PM.
All proceeds generated by the screening will be used
for the planning and production of RIIFF’s 10th
Anniversary Season. RIIFF is a 501-C(3) non-profit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
The Rhode Island International Film Festival
is generously supported by WJAR TV 10, UPN28, The
City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council,
Clear Channel Communications, The Providence Phoenix,
Rule Broadcasting Systems, Downcity Diner, Scialo's
Brothers Bakery, Jessie’s on Atwell’s Avenue,
Motif Magazine, the State House Inn, the Hotel Providence,
Coca Cola,Jephry Floral Studio, Gorilla Software, McLaughlin
& Moran, Red Bull, Caserta Pizzeria, Pizza Pier,
Columbus Theatre Arts Center, Newport Vineyards, Amtrak,
Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and individual
contributions. The tenth annual Rhode Island
International Film Festival will take place
August 8-13, 2006. For more information, write RIIFF,
P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445.
E-mail: info@film-festival.org
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OUR EVENT SPONSORS:
 
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