• February 2, 2010 • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 82nd Annual Academy Award nominations this morning at 5:38 a.m. PST. One of the nominations played at RIIFF during our August Festival in 2009.
Nominated for Best Short (Live Action) was Gregg Helvey's "Kavi," which played at last year's RIIFF. 2009 Student Academy Award ® Gold Medal for best narrative short, "Kavi" was Greg's USC thesis film. "Kavi" is the story of a young boy in India who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Unsatisfied with his fate, Kavi must choose to either accept what he's always been told, or fight for a different fate even if he's unsure of the ultimate outcome.
The film, produced by Guneet Monga, Harish Amin and Helvey, was filmed entirely in Wai, near Mumbai. Helvey, who was a student of the University of South California, came to India to produce the film. The film has been subtitled in English and won various awards at international festivals.
Made on a shoestring budget of just over $30,000, it was shot in just eight days.
To see more about "Kavi" in the RIIFF 2009 Catalog,click here
To learn more about this year's 82nd Annual Academy Awards, click here
Our sincere congratulations to Gregg and to all the nominees!
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• February 6, 2010: The proposed fiscal budget in Rhode Island would eliminate the Film Tax Credits. This important economic engine, for a state that needs such an engine, was capped a few years ago at $15 million and from that point, film production shrank in the Ocean State to almost nothing. By contrast, Massachusetts saw more than $1 billion in production since their tax credits were implemented. Research has proven that the work created within the industry was sustainable and significant.
Get involved with the discussion and efforts to not only save the Film Tax Credits in Rhode Island, but removal of the cap completely.
• January 30, 2010 • We are very pleased to announce that RIIFF has moved its offices to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium & Cultural Center. We are located on the first floor suite with an entrance at 83 Park Street, Providence. This is a major move for the Festival. Details will be announced shortly.
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• January 28, 2010 • The first-ever 7 Day PSA Completion launches tonight with teams in place from Rhode Island to New Hampshire! We will keep you informed about the progress made and how this very unique program takes shape. Kudos to RIIFF Board member, Duncan Putney for making this a reality!
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• RIIFF is now part of Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. This year, we're celebrating the good works of volunteers by giving each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to a Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. Watch soon for our special volunteer opportunities to qualify for this wonderful opportunity! To learn more about the Disney program, click here.
Photos by Paul Ruggeri
RIIFF /rif/ - acronym for Rhode Island International Film Festival ~ a 7-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.
2010 Rhode Island International Film Festival: Call for Entries is Now Open
Deadlines: Regular: May 15, 2010; Late: June 1, 2010
Extended Deadline: June 15, 2010
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.
RIIFF's Oscar Night® America is an evening of glamour, fun, and celebration!
Providence Oscar Night® America hosted by the Rhode Island International Film Festival is one of only 50 official parties sanctioned by the Academy to host an official Oscar® telecast viewing party on Oscar Night.
THIS JUST IN: Come to the Oscar Night® America Celebration and stay at the Providence Renaissance Hotel (next door to the VMA Arts & Cultural Center) for an amazing reduced rate of $85.Click here for the link to book your stay now!
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 2010, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has 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, March 7, 2010, guests will experience the thrills, surprises and excitement of the 82nd Academy Awards® at Providence's Oscar Night® America party.
As Oscar co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin take the stage in Los Angeles at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, Rhode Islanders will be able to join John Deluca and Allison Alexander of ABC6 for the creative black-tie event at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium& Cultural Center, that is set to benefit the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). All attendees to the event will be treated like stars, 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.
Sponsors for the 2010 Providence Oscar Night® America hosted by the Rhode Island International Film Festival include PMA Industries, ABC6, Temple Restaurant, Glasswing Design, Harpoon Brewery, Newport Vineyards, Valet Connection, East Coast Lighting and Production Servicesand the Veterans Memorial AuditoriumArts & Cultural Center.
RIIFF's Providence Oscar Night® America Celebration,
Sunday, March 7th
$55.00
Party/ Reception and 82nd Academy Awards: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. LOCATION: Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center, 1 Avenue of the Arts, PROVIDENCE
Order Today for only $55
2010 Rhode Island International Film Festival®.
All Rights Reserved.
Make a PSA in 7 Days and help a
Non-Profit Organization
A RIIFF Creative Impulse Award Competition
The Rhode Island International Film Festival Announces the Beginning of a New National Filmmaking Competition.
NEWS (February 4, 2010): All teams have completed their work. The adjudication process begins. Plan to come the awards ceremony on February 23rd, 8:00 p.m.,, Comedy Connection in East Providence.
The “Seven Day PSA” Competition (7DAYPSA) was conceived by Duncan B. Putney, an Emmy winning writer and the creative producer of Original Concept & Development Associates (www.OCDA.biz). The purpose of this new competition is to challenge local filmmakers to use their skills and energy to meet a major need of local non-profit organizations. This will provide the filmmakers not only a great experience and a good feeling about helping others in their community, but also a broadcast credit for their resumes--something that the organizers have arranged through various sponsorships and commitments. The competition is designed to help area non-profits who cannot afford marketing and promotional expenses to share their mission with the general public by providing a pool of talent to make that a reality. The PSA competition was created specifically to create a bridge between artists/filmmakers and the non-profit community.
This national competition has been created by the non-profit Flicker’s Art Collaborative / Rhode Island International Film Festival’s Creative Impulse Awards, which promotes excellence in marketing, advertising and talent.
Join the conversation at our popular webportal for filmmakers:
Documentary Tech is a collaborative effort to talk about what makes for the best in the art of
the documentary. As a joint project by Flickers and The Rhode Island International Film Festival and several sponsoring universities, we'll talk about technique, technology, distribution and funding.
Read the article from NewEnglandFilm.com, click here
For the first time, ever, RIIFF will be taking it's popular "You Be the Judge" program outside of Rhode Island. The location: 2919 24th Ave., Queens, NY.
Ever wanted to program your own film festival? Astoria Indies LOVES alternative screenings, and this Feb. 11 they are asking YOU to come help program one of the world's top film festivals. The Rhode Island International is sending them our best short film submissions, and YOU get to rate, comment and vote on which ones will play at the fest. (Oh, and did we mention the best short at RIIFF can qualify for an ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION?)
See you on Feb. 11th at the Beer Garden! The program begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are only $5, as always!
A very special screening on a very special day for the romantic, those in love and the young in heart. Presented in cooperation with and at the Barrington Public Library, 281 County Road, Barrington, RI. 401 247-1920. A great date night evening you will not forget hosted by librarian, Wil Gregersen. Free to the general public. Map It:
February 18th:
You Be the Judge Night
Presented in cooperation with Rhodywood, this popular series continues with a new season that will reveal some of the entries that are under consideration for our 2010 Festival. Join us at 7:00 p.m. the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House, 209 Douglas Avenue, Providence. This film event will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Suggested donation: $5. Map it:
Big Sisters of Rhode Island: making a difference by offering traditional one-on-on mentoring for young girls in the community.
The Sensational Child: striving to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families living with autism and disabilities.
We will not only be screening the public service announcements, but present awards. Upcoming 7 Day PSA competitions for 2010 include: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS; PORTLAND, MAINE; SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT; NEW HAMPSHIRE; and DALLAS, TEXAS.
Mark this on your calendars and come support some amazing artists who have given back to their community!
February 24th:
RIIFF Best of Fest Encore
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to bring back our popular "Best of Fest" programming showcasing films that screened during our 2009 Festival. The location for the screenings is the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street in Providence. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $10; RIIFF members $8. For more information, click here.Map it
February 25-28th:
Save the Bay's
Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
We are very proud to support and cross-promote this important Festival which celebrates the 40th Anniversary of one of Rhode Island's most important non-profit organizations: Save the Bay! The largest environmental film festival in the United States, The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival sits apart from the hundreds of festivals around the world by leaving you feeling INSPIRED and MOTIVATED to go out and make a difference in your community and the world. It’s a festival for activists by activists. The event is organized and hosted by the South Yuba River Citizens League in Nevada.
Save the Bay will be hosting the Festival Touring Program with some extraordinary cinematic work you will not want to miss. The festival tour brings together the best of the home festival’s films in a three-hour program. With a growing public awareness for the environment, the festival aims to increase this groundswell through inspiring and educational films which hopefully will motivate people to go out and make a difference in their community and around the world.
To learn more about this Festival, its programming and screening locations, please click here.
February 28th:
Ron Tippe on 630 WPRO Radio
1:30 PM
• Listen to Ron Tippe on "Patricia Raskin Positive Living™" with host, Patricia Raskin on 630 WPRO/AM & 99.7/FM and streamed live on www.630wpro.com on Sunday, February 28th at 1:30PM ET/ 10:30AM PT.
Join nationally recognized multi-media radio talk show host and award winning producer Patricia Raskin, host of "Patricia Raskin Positive Living™" radio show. What is the impact of film on our culture? Tune in as Patricia interviews, Ron Tippe, screenwriter, director, producer, college professor and the new Producing Director at RIIFF (The RI International Film Festival.) He will discuss the impact of film on social consciousness, the upcoming Oscar Night® America in Providence, and the re-branding of the RIIFF. Providence Oscar Night® America is one of only 50 official parties sanctioned by the Academy to host an official Oscar® telecast viewing party on Oscar Night.
March 7, 2010:
RIIFF Hosts Oscar Night® America
The 82nd Academy Awards
The Academy Awards®, affectionately known as the Oscars®, are the oldest, best known, most influential, most prestigious, and famous of film awards. The Oscars reward the previous year’s greatest cinema achievements as determined by some of the world’s most accomplished motion picture artists and professionals. Ever since 1941, when their now-famous confidential envelope system was introduced, marking the first year of complete secrecy, "the Envelope Please" has become a familiar phrase that evokes the thought of the Academy Awards® ceremony. And this is the night when we will discover the films that have been adjudicated the Best of 2009!
This special evening has become a signature event for RIIFF, and is now in its sixth year. Due to popular demand, we will be presenting a special evening of short films at which we will reveal some of the new work that will be playing at our upcoming August Festival. Be the first to see what may be the next nominees for major industry awards--and maybe even an Academy Award.
The evening has been designed for a relaxed social gathering where we salute several long term supporters of RIIFF, raise a toast and then sit back and watch the premiere screening of exciting new cinematic work that you will not be able to see anywhere else!
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to bring back our popular "Best of Fest" programming showcasing films that screened during our 2009 Festival. The location for the screenings is the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street in Providence. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $10; RIIFF members $8. For more information, click here.Map it
April 11th:
From the same group that brought last year's "Topsy Turvy World of G&S". The Flickers Chamber Music Ensemble presents:
"Dream With Me", music for soprano, tenor, piano, and cello
Featuring works of Bernstein, Quilter, Schubert, and selections from Mozart's "Don Giovanni".
Performed by Elizabeth Gondek, soprano; Eric Bronner, tenor; Nancy Nicholson, piano; and Daniel Harp, cello. Bell Street Chapel, Providence. Tickets are $20 general admission. Senior and student discounts offered. To order call 401-861-4445. Map it:
April 28th:
RIIFF Best of Fest Encore
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to bring back our popular "Best of Fest" programming showcasing films that screened during our 2009 Festival. The location for the screenings is the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street in Providence. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $10; RIIFF members $8. For more information, click here.Map it:
April 22-25, 2010:
Fifth Annual Roving Eye Film Festival
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is proud to present its fifth annual Roving
Eye Film Festival™. The popular and acclaimed festival celebrating documentary films theme this year is “Bridging the World Through Film.” All screenings, unless otherwise noted, will be free of charge and open to the public and screened on the campus of Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI.
April 29th:
12th Annual URI Visualizations Film Festival
Every spring, the University of Rhode Island College of Arts and Sciences holds its annual Visualizations Film Festival. Undergraduate students, in any major or college, who are interested in film and moving images, are strongly encouraged to enter this competition, in which winners are awarded cash prizes and receive recognition for their achievements.
Now in its 12th year, the Visualizations Student Film Festival encourages URI undergraduate students to produce a diverse array of films and videos in a variety of formats. In addition, the Festival recognizes students who write critically about film, as well as those who write original film treatments. Through this annual event, students compete for prizes and have their films screened at public events and acknowledged by their peers, faculty, friends and family. Also, The Fred Joyal Best of Festival Prize will be judged and selected from among the winners in each category at the Awards Ceremony on April 29.
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has long been a supporter of this wonderful Festival and provides scholarships, passes and tickets to our August events along with a special Visualizations screening during RIIFF.
May 26th:
RIIFF Best of Fest Encore
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to bring back our popular "Best of Fest" programming showcasing films that screened during our 2009 Festival. The location for the screenings is the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street in Providence. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $10; RIIFF members $8. For more information, click here.Map it:
June 9th:
RIIFF Best of Fest Encore
The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to bring back our popular "Best of Fest" programming showcasing films that screened during our 2009 Festival. The location for the screenings is the Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street in Providence. Show time at 7:00 p.m. Admission Donation of $10; RIIFF members $8. For more information, click here.Map it:
July 7-16, 2010:
KidsEye™ Summer Filmmaking Camp
Now in its 12th year this annual summer camp works with kids from ages 8-16 and helps them learn the ins and outs of filmmaking, scripting and editing. For 2010, we have an expanded focus and will be creating new opportunities for our campers.
• February 6, 2010: The proposed fiscal budget in Rhode Island would eliminate the Film Tax Credits. This important economic engine, for a state that needs such an engine, was capped a few years ago at $15 million and from that point, film production shrank in the Ocean State to almost nothing. By contrast, Massachusetts saw more than $1 billion in production since their tax credits were implemented. Research has proven that the work created within the industry was sustainable and significant. 
