RIIFF Presents Oscar Night® America 2012

Providence Oscar Night® America on Sunday, February 26th is one of only 50 official parties sanctioned by the Academy to host an official Oscar® telecast viewing party on Oscar Night.

This year five (5) films that played RIIFFwill be in contention for awards, plus Rhode Island's own Viola Davis is up for Best Actress!

Tickets are $125 for the 6:30 PM Red Carpet Gala which will be followed by the Academy Awards ceremony. Group rates are available, please call our office (401/861.4445) for details.

A $10.00 ticket is available for those wishing to watch the broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony which begins at 8:30 PM. (Doors open at 7:45 p.m.)

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• Discover some amazing deals at our Oscar Night® America Silent Auction.

Click here to see the evolving list...coming

• Come to the Oscar Night® America Celebration and stay at the Providence Renaissance Hotel (next door to the The Vets) for a reduced rate of $99. Click here for the link to book your stay now! (Coming)

• Keep track of this year's Oscar® winners with the Official Ballot, coming

• Play Oscar® Bingo, coming

• Read about Oscar Night® America Across the Country, coming

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5 Films that Played RIFF in 2011 vie for the Best in their Category:

• "Incident in New Baghdad" D. James Spione

• "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" D. William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg

• "Raju" D. Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren

• "The Shore" D. Terry George and Oorlagh George

• "Time Freak" D. Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey

(PROVIDENCE, RI) • Oscar Night® America is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' grassroots program that enables not-for-profit charities to host glamorous parties while raising much needed funds. In 2012, the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has again been selected to host Rhode Island’s only officially sanctioned party, one of only 50 official parties throughout the country sanctioned by the Academy.

On Sunday, February 26, 2012, guests will experience the thrills, surprises and excitement of the 84th Academy Awards® at Providence's Oscar Night® America party which will be held at the The Vets , 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. The cost is $125 for those participating in the Red Carpet Gala, which includes a welcome reception, gourmet dinner, drinks, live music, raffle and screening of the Academy Awards. For those who wish to watch the Awards ceremony only on our large screen, tickets are $10 with the doors opening at 8:00 p.m.

One of the special components of this year's event will be a celebration of Rhode Island's own, actress Viola Davis. Attendees will be able to participate in a special tribute (details to be announced.)

The Honorary Chairman for the event is Steven Feinberg, Executive Director/RI Film & Television Office. The host and MC for this year's event is Rhode Island comic icon, Charlie Hall. Special Guests include Dr. Robert E. Simpson, Jr., Executive Director/CEO, The Brattleboro Retreat; Mr. Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Filmmaker and Director of Development, The Brattleboro Retreat; Barry Martin and Peter Archambault of PMA Industries; Denise Perreault, Creative Economy Writer for the Providence Business News, and others TBA.

Members of the Oscar Night® America Committee include Joanne Arnold,Doreen Vitale, Lawrence J. Andrade; Michael Drywa, Esq., RIIFF Board President; J. Scott Oberacker, George T. Marshall, Elizabeth Czabanowski, Sandra Gandsman, Mihaela Hinayon, Anne LaFleur, Linda Reust, Allan Underwood, John Vit, Jeanne Westervelt, Sarah Tallarico and Duncan Putney.

As the 84th Oscar® host, Billy Crystal, takes the stage in Los Angeles at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, Rhode Islanders will be able to join John Deluca of ABC6 at The Vets, that is set to benefit the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) and Flickers. All attendees to the event will be treated like celebrities, walking into the theatre on a red carpet that would be found at world cinematic premieres. This grand entrance will be covered live by ABC 6; official sponsor for Providence Oscar Night® America.

“We could not be more honored and pleased that the Academy has selected FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival to host the 2012 Providence Oscar Night® America,” stated Michael Drywa, RIIFF’s Board President. “The prestigious nature of Oscar Night® America is a feather in the cap of our organization which prides itself on fostering an appreciation and respect for the world of film.

“RIIFF has had a long-term relationship with the Academy as New England’s only qualifying Festival in the short film division, so this new relationship could not be more appropriate,” he added.

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLICKERS!

Providence Oscar Night® America marks the kick off event for a year's worth of programming that celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Flickers. It's largest and most widely acclaimed program is the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). RIIFF is now in its 16th year and 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. This confluence of art and commerce brought together world-class celebrities, award-winning filmmakers, new talent and audience members in record numbers last year.

Funding generated by Providence Oscar Night® America will be used to not only underwrite the Festival’s 16th Season in August, it will support such community outreach and educational programs as the Youth Film Jury, Rhode Island Film Forum; Cine ¡OLÉ!; the Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival; the Vortex Sci-Fi Film Festival; the New England Student Film Festival; the Providence GLBT Film Festival; the Providence Underground Film Festival; the Roving Eye International Film Festival; the RIIFF Technology Forum; the 7 Day PSA Competition; the KidsEye™ Summer Filmmaking Camp; Flickers North Country Film Festival; ScriptBiz™; the RI International Horror Film Festival; and the Flickers North Country Film Festival.

“Many people do not realize that programming created and produced by the Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place throughout the year,” stated George T. Marshall, RIIFF Executive Director/CEO. “From specialized screening events to internships, RIIFF provides an ongoing opportunity to discover all the elements that compose the cinematic arts.”

Sponsors for the 2012 Providence Oscar Night® America hosted by the Rhode Island International Film Festival include PMA Industries, ABC6, Amtrak, Soul Cachaca, Renaissance Providence Hotel and The Vets . Entertainment by TBA.

For sponsorship opportunities or information, please contact Joanne Arnold, Events Manager, at 401.861.4445 or jarnold@film-festival.org

ABOUT this Year's Red Carpet Guests:

TBA

SEE Images from past Oscar Night® America:
Thanks to our photographers, Mary Hanley and Jonathan Beller, we have some exceptional shots from last year's Oscar Night® America event. Click on any of the images to visit our Photo Album:

ABOUT Oscar Night® America:
Since its inception in 1994, the program has generated nearly $30 million in funding for a wide spectrum of charitable organizations. The Oscar Night® America Party in Providence, Rhode Island will raise vital funds to enable the Rhode Island International Film Festival to further its educational and arts outreach efforts and underwrite RIIFF’s August 2012 season.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

www.oscars.org

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www.youtube.com/Oscars

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http://www.facebook.com/OscarNightAmerica

ABOUT FLICKERS: RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:
The mission of FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival is to discover and empower filmmakers. Held in Providence, and at locations throughout the state, RIIFF is one of only 65 film festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Oscars. It is also New England’s largest film festival. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. The next Festival will take place August 7-12, 2012. For more information about the festival, please visit www.rifilmfest.org.

For student rate, please call our office at 401.861.4445

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Event Sponsors:

Event Photographers: