RIIFF Events Take Place Year-Round...

RIIFF /rif/ - acronym for Rhode Island International Film Festival
~ a 6-day event beginning the second week in August; always starting on a Tuesday at various locations throughout the State of Rhode Island with premiere works in the capital city of Providence;
~ the largest public film festival in New England and an Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences qualifying event;

~ the major portal of entry for filmmakers to discover the Ocean State as a center for film development and production;

~ a unique platform for the creative and cultural discovery of new cinematic talent, both at home, nationally and globally;

~ synonymous with sophisticated, savvy, discerning and film-loving audiences.

Time remaining until this year's

Festival: August 5-10, 2008

2008 RIIFF Call for Entries

is now open... apply today!

Our main deadline is May 15th and it is coming up fast!

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is a founding partner of The International Film Festival Submission System (BrigitFest) – on the Web at Withoutabox.com and prefers paperless entries. Withoutabox provides cost-saving, online entry to major film festivals throughout the U.S. and in Europe with one master entry form, allowing you and us to enter your film more quickly and with greater accuracy. This method is free and easy. Withoutabox users enjoy the advantages of Extended Deadlines and Online Press Kit submissions and filmmakers with an upgraded project on Withoutabox receive $5.00 off their Entry Fees.

A limited number of spaces are still available for KIDSEYE™ 2008

Celebrating it's 10th Aniversary!

The time just crept up on us and now we are celebrating year 10 of this popular summer program. What is KidsEye? It's a five-day summer camp held at the beautiful campus of the University or Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. KidsEye exposes young people to the basic elements of the filmmaking process, culminating in a premiere screening of their finished films. To learn more, click here. To download an application form, click here. The cost for this year's camp is $340.

Breaking News:

RIIFF RECEIVES A NEW ENGLAND EMMY NOMINATION FOR ITS 2007 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS / FESTIVAL PROMOTIONS

The campaign featured two spots. Entitled "No Excuses," it was created by William Smyth, Director; Miraj Berry, Writer/Composer; and George T. Marshall, Producer. The spots featured the talents of Richard Donnelly and Phyliis Kay of Trinity Repertory Company. They aired in July and August 2007 on WJAR TV.

This marks the third time PSA's produced by RIIFF have gone on to be nominated for Emmy Awards. There has been one win. All spots were directed by William Smyth.

The 31st Boston / New England Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at the Boston Marriott Hotel, Copley Place, Grand Ballroom, 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston.

ARTS AROUND RHODE ISLAND

NOW AT TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY:

"Paris by Night "

Provocative, evocative, heartfelt, thought--provoking, emotional and powerful are a few of the descriptions for this striking new musical having its World Premiere at Providence's acclaimed Trinity Repertory Company. At once a love story and social commentary, the play touches the heart and speaks of the ineffable nature of romance.

"Paris by Night" features memorable book & lyrics by Curt Columbus, Trinity's Artistic Director, with a compelling musical score by Andre Pluess & Amy Warren. The play is directed with by Birgitta Victorson. The set by Eugene Lee is in a word: brilliant. (As is the entire production!)

In the City of Light and Love in 1960, anything seems possible. An unconventional love story is at the heart of this jazzy new love story. Sam is a brokenhearted expatriate certain that he’s left romance behind... until he meets a young soldier, fresh-faced and full of optimism. Meanwhile, the beautiful chanteuse Marie doesn’t see that she’s mixed up with the wrong guy, while true love is right under her nose. What is this magic that lets them follow their hearts? It’s Paris by Night.

We strongly recommend that you go and see this powerful and thought-provoking new production.

RIIFF 2008 News & Events:

Monthly through June 2008: The Return of "You Be The Judge" Nights: Last year, over 2,400 films were submitted to the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). The reputation of our festival continues to grow as filmmakers and audiences from around the world spread the word about RIIFF. It is the largest film festival in New England and one of only a handful worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (“Oscars”). “You Be The Judge” is a unique opportunity for you to help us select the best films for screening at RIIFF 2008. Throughout the year, RIIFF will be organizing special screenings and inviting you to be a festival judge for the night. Your comments will be recorded and used in helping us to determine which films make the cut. No experience necessary; just be prepared to watch an eclectic mix of shorts, documentaries, animations, local, and foreign films.

The Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival Preview Screenings. The Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival (GJCFF) is a new initiative aimed at introducing authenticChinese culture to American audiences. It is a collaboration between the US-China Institute and Confucius Institute at Bryant University, the Rhode IslandInternational Film Festival (RIIFF) and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. Up next: A monthly Chinese film screening will be open to the general public. Audiences will have the chance to preview and judge the latest Chinese films submitted to the RIIFF. Your scores will help us determine which films to include in this year’s Festival. To download the flyer, click here. To learn more, click here

May 13th: RIIFF FilmMaking Forums at Borders Bookstore. Join us at Borders Bookstore in Providence Place Mall for timely discussions about the filmmaking industry and you. Programming will take place at 7:00 p.m. Tonight: Making it in Rhode Island: The Impact of Film Tax Credits. They began as a simple idea to spur more film business in the Ocean State. And they quickly achieved their goal. Now they are a source of controversy and may soon be repealed or capped. What is the lure of these credits? What is happening in neighboring states? How does Rhode Island stay competitive and build a filmmaking infrastructure? Learn first hand just what the tax credits mean for Rhode Island, who is impacted and why you should care. Featuring members of the Rhode Island film community, producers and directors. Hosted by Adam Short, RIIFF’s Producing Director.

May 16th: Heather Henson presents "Handmade Puppet Dreams." This amazing event that premiered with RIIFF in 2006 for our 10th Anniversary, returns to Providence as part of the programming of FirstWorks with all new work. What is it? Shorts films by puppet artists. "Handmade Puppet Dreams" is a touring festival of independent artists films exploring their handmade craft specifically for the camera. These films have allowed artists to build their vision, then breathe life into their dreams. To learn more about Heather Henson's work, click here.

• Handmade Puppet Dreams for Kids
Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m.
Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South Street, Providence
Admission to the museum is free from 5-8 p.m.

May 20th: Courthouse Center for the Arts, Third Tuesday Encore Films Series of the 2007 RIIFF, Showtime at 7:30 p.m. Admission Donation of $5; CCA & RIIFF members $4. For more information, click here.

May 30th: THE MUSIC OF A LIFE: First Annual Joseph & Viola Marshall Memorial Benefit Concert. Two of the founding members of the Flickers Arts Collaborative and the Rhode Island International Film Festival are paid tribute in this moving and entertaining multimedia celebration that showcases popular and contemporary music as interpreted by Rhode Island musicians. The program is under the musical direction of Eric R. Bronner. All proceeds will be used to build the Joseph and Viola M. Marshall Scholarship Fund; designed to support high school and college students in the study of the film arts. Featuring: Vaughn Bryner, Julibeth Andrews, Kara Lund, Mary Ann Moeller, Allison Moeller and Eric Bronner. Concert at 8:00 p.m. Recommended donation: $15, $10 for seniors and students. For more information, click here.

June 10th : RIIFF FilmMaking Forums at Borders Bookstore. Join us at Borders Bookstore in Providence Place Mall for timely discussions about the filmmaking industry and you. Programming will take place at 7:00 p.m. Tonight: Breaking in to the National Market: Tales from the Darkside. You’ve spent years working on your dream film project. You’ve taken your original idea, gotten the funding, hired the cast and crew, shot the film and spent months in post production. You’ve fine-tuned and honed your film thanks to feedback from private screenings, focus groups and the film festival circuit. Now where do you take it? How does it reach wide distribution? Learn first hand from award-winning filmmaker, Erik Latek whose acclaimed film “Sweet Dreams” has made this journey. This promises to be a lively and entertaining evening. Hosted by George T. Marshall, RIIFF's Executive Director and Adam Short, Producing Director.

July 7-11th: KidsEye Summer Filmmaking Camp. Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. Applications are available online now. Click here for more details.

July 8th: RIIFF FilmMaking Forums at Borders Bookstore. Join us at Borders Bookstore in Providence Place Mall for timely discussions about the filmmaking industry and you. Programming will take place at 7:00 p.m.

July 18-20th: Annual Black Ships Japanese Film Festival. We are proud to be celebrating 25 years of programming with the Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, RI and the 50th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Newport and Shimoda, Japan. This year, we expand our film screenings to three days and will be bringing back an expanded version of our popular multi-media concert event, "East Meets West: The Music of Ikuma Dan." For more information, click here.

Key Events of the 2008 RIIFF: August 4-10th

August 4-5th: ScriptBiz.08.Got a great idea for a movie script, but don’t know where to begin? Or have you finished that masterpiece, but no clue what to do next? The 12th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) proudly presents ScriptBiz.08, a two day workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of being a scriptwriter. The program is broken down into two parts: introductory and advanced. The RIIFF ScriptBiz Program is designed to guide writers not only through the creative process of writing, but ways to promote a screenplay to filmmakers through effective networking with tips on how to make a compelling pitch. This year’s annual ScriptBiz at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, 5 Avenue of the Arts., Providence, RI. Click here for more details.

August 4-9th: The KidsEye™ International Flm Festival. This year we expand our offerings over five mornings at a new location. Cutting edge films by and for kids compose this popular sidebar of RIIFF. Click here to see last year's programming.

promises to be an amazing event with new work, expanded networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences, educational programs, an industry symposium, parties, awards, our Opening and Closing Galas, conversations with honorees, breakfast gatherings, a location tour, and a celebrity siting here and there. This year we will be introducing several new sidebars, including the The Vortex Sci Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, which will include new cutting edge work in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres from independent filmmakers across the globe. (For more information, please click here...) We will also be introducing the Providence Underground Film Festival, with a mission to showcase new, experimental and genre bending work. (For more information, please click here...)

August 5th: 12th Annual RIIFF Opening Night Gala See and be seen. Mingle with filmmakers and celebrities at our glittering Opening Night Gala. The hot ticket for the summer, advance sales start in March...

August 7-8th: The Rhode Island Film Forum. Here’s your chance to become involved with Rhode Island’s “stars” of the film community. The two-day forum will bring together leaders of the film industry with the decision-making community leaders and historic, natural and commercial property managers of Rhode Island; plus look at what's new on the technical side of the business and how you fit in! Click here for more details.

August 9-10th: The New England Student Film Festival. Exciting, provocative and smart are words that best describe the work from students at our New England colleges and universities. This two-day sidebar will feature film work by tomorrow's leaders in the field. Click here to see last year's programming.

August 28-29th: Annual Best of Fest Night at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. Showtime at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $5; CCA & RIIFF members $4. For more information, click here.

October 10-12th: Columbus Day Weekend. Announcement of RIIFF Screenplay Competition Winners.

News and Media Links:

Become a 2008 CinemaRI Member!

Others follow where we lead...

We respect the fact that your money is hard earned and that if you join an organization, you should get value for your investment. At the Rhode Island International Film Festival, we created a membership program that is not restricted to one week a year, or the month leading up to our event. We have been producing ongoing events outside of the main Festival in August for over 12 years. From the monthly Third Tuesday Encore Films Series at the Courthouse Center for the Arts and the monthly Film Forums at Borders in Providence Place, to the Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival and the Vortex Sci-Fi and Fantasy Festival to the annual RI International Horror Film Festival, it has always been our intent to make your membership count. As with RIIFF, membership in CinemaRI is about discovery and the medium of film.

Members receive free and discounted tickets, priority entrance, advance ticket privileges, our monthly event eblast, advance notice of special programs and events and ongoing free screenings! This year, we'll be expanding our First Look programming and introducing an Animation and SFX Festival. As as member, you'll learn about what we are up to before anyone else. You'll also be able to participate in our popular "You Be the Judge Nights," which begin this November and help us select the films that will screen at RIIFF 2008.

For information on the different levels of Membership, and to become a Member now, please click here.

Support RIIFF's Non-Profit Mission in the Arts!

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is a production of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, and depends on the support we receive from Members ticket-buyers and the general public to fulfill our mission: encouraging the creation of original, independent film work as well as bringing that work to Rhode Island and Southern New England.

For ways to support us, including Computer Donations, Charitable Contributions, Employer Matching Gifts, and making our Wish-List a reality, please click here.

For Volunteer Opportunities, please click here. For Intern Opportunities, please click here

RIIFF at a Glance:

Call us at

401.861.4445