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;
Please Note: Office hours are M-F 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and by appointment.
Due to construction at The Vets, where our office is located,
we ask that all packages be mailed to our Newport address to insure prompt delivery
2013 Rhode Island International Film Festival Call for Entries is Now Open
Next Edition: August 6-11, 2013
Deadlines: Regular: May 15, 2013; Late: June 1, 2013;
Extended Deadline: June 15, 2013
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.
FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has been nominated for a New England Emmy Award. The Board of Governors of the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences notified Flickers about the nomination in the category of Public Service Announcement (PSA) – Single Spot in the 36th Annual Boston/New England Emmy competition. This marks the eleventh time video work produced by Flickers has gone on to be nominated for Emmy Awards. There have been four wins.
This year’s Emmy nomination is for “Truth” a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that explores the world of Cinema and Art and how it can be found at the 16th annual Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). The 30-second spot was directed by filmmaker William Smyth of Rhode Island-basedvacilando films and shot in New York City. George T. Marshall of Flickers was the Executive Producer. It aired on Cox Communications, July 16-August 12, 2012.
“We are very proud to be in such excellent company with this nominations and grateful for the recognition of our promotion for the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival. Kudos to the amazing director, William Smyth who share in this nomination,” said Michael Drywa, Esq., Flickers Advisory Board President.
The 36th Boston / New England Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, June 1st, 2012 at Marriott Boston Copley Place in Boston, Mass.
Spotlight on RI Screenplay Competition Winners Announced
FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is pleased to announce the winners for this year’s Spotlight on Rhode Island Screenplay Competition.
This was the second year for Competition that invited screenwriters from around the world to submit their original screenplays set in Rhode Island that features the state’s geography and demography as characters.
This year’s winner, “Fix You Up” by Rachel Smith, tells the story of Rory, a workaholic transplant surgeon who cares more about the organs she operates on than the people they belong to. When she breaks her wrist and is out of work, she meets Grace, a spirited musician, who forces Rory to question her choices in life and love.
Rachel Smith is a native Rhode Islander who was born in Providence and raised in Hope. She has a love for the Atlantic Ocean, local brew, fresh seafood, and storytelling. She wrote her first play when she was seven and went on to graduate from the Honors Program and the University of RI with a double major in creative writing and film studies. She left New England to study screenwriting at London Film School where "Fix You Up" was developed.
The Grand Prize script will receive five free pitches to Hollywood studios and producers on VirtualPitchfest.com and a copy of Final Draft 8 screenwriting software as well as receive an all-access RIIFF pass for 2013 including the ScriptBiz Screenwriters Workshop.
Two additional awards were also made in the First Place Division with a tie in the category: "Bare,” written by Mike Ryan (Providence, RI) and "Running Men" by Jeff Kimball (Fairfield, Connecticut). They have been invited to be guests of the Festival at this year’s ScriptBiz Screenwriters Workshop, August 9th during the annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Winners Announced!
This year's awards for top films at the 8th Annual Roving Eye International Film Festival have been released. Xuan Nguyen, a member of the Roger Williams University class, Curation and Film Festival Production which developed this year's Festival, made the announcement at the closing day festivities: (for more, click here)
• Best Narrative Short: "Calcutta Taxi" | Vikram Dasgupta
• Best Feature Film: "Exquisite Corpse Project" | Ben Popik
• Best Documentary: "Water Fire: Art and Soul of a City" | Joe Rocco
• Best Short Documentary: "20MALEGAYNYC" | Blake Pruitt
2013 Programming at RIIFF
June 14th
FLICKERS: Providence GLBT Film Festival Preview
A celebration of the Best of GLBT Shorts; plus a sneak peak of a major new film
Films made by, for and about the GLBT community take the spotlight in a special celebration preview through a unique partnership among FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, Equity Action and the Bell Street Chapel. The preview will feature cutting edge shorts and a sneak peak of a major new film. This year the GLBT festival during RIIFF in August is screening over 40 films from across the globe on an array of topics that touch everything from relationships, gay marriage to military policy. To read more about the event, click here...
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Date: Friday June 14, 2013
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Bell Street Chapel Theatre, 5 Bell Street, Providence, RI
Cost: $10 donation; $8 for RIIFF members. Tickets available at the door.
Contact 401-861-4445 for more information.
June 20th
JAC Third Thursday Encore Film Series
Cultural Collection
Join us for a special monthly series from the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival that presents some of the best films screened during the 2012 festival.
ASAD (17 min.) From Africa. Grand Prize short winner at the 2012 RIIFF and a 2013 Academy Award short nominee. Directed by Bryan Buckley. An all Somali refugee cast brings to life this coming of age fable of a Somali boy struggling to survive in his war-torn homeland.
DVA (26 min.) From Germany & Croatia. First Place Best Short winner at the 2012 RIIFF. Directed by Mickey Nedimovic. When two men who are enemies in every way are forced to rely on each other to survive, they must overcome more than just their differences.
The Other Side (22 min.) From Israel. Second Place Best short winner at the 2012 RIIFF. Directed by Khen Shalem. A simple soccer ball sparks an unusual between two young boys on either side of the Israeli and Palestinian separation wall. Can this wordless and gaze free relationship overcome the wall's towering presence.
Revolutionary Memories of Bahman Who Loved Leila (15 min.) From Iran. Directed by Farahnaz Shaifi. A testimonial to the forgotten guerilla participants of the Islamic Revolution of 1978 as well as a love story played out in the midst of this political and social tumult.
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown
KidsEye™ is a fun yet intensive
five-day filmmaking camp for children ages 8-16 presented
by FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival™.
Over the course of the last 15 years, the camp has
expanded, allowing children to learn more about what
it takes to make a movie. We strive to incorporate as
much hands-on learning as possible, therefore placing
our focus primarily on production. KidsEye™ participants step into the roles of screenwriters, actors,
directors and crew, and learn the importance of working
as a team. To learn more, please click here.
Please note that we limited the number of campers to 35 insuring the best possible experience and student to teacher ratio.
Thanks to Rule Boston Camera, the University of Rhode Island and the Harrington School of Communications for their ongoing support!
August 6-11th:
Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival
The Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) ran August 6-11th at venues in Providence, Bristol, Jamestown, Woonsocket and across the state of Rhode Island. Screening 200+ films, it is the largest film festival in New England and every year attracted more than 5,200 entries from around the world. More than 200 filmmakers are expected to descend on the state’s capital city this year. RIIFF is a magnet for those who’ve made short films because it is a qualifying event for the short film category of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2012, two of the films that premiered at RIIFF went on to receive Academy Award nominations.
The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers. RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a weeklong extravaganza. Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is noted for its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences which have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe.
• Click here to see the Festival Genius Roster of Films (coming in July)
• See the online Program Guide (coming in July)
• Access our mobile app.
• Click here to see this year's Festival Dedication
• Read about this year's Award Winners (coming in August)
Some of the planned 2013 highlights included:
• Showcase of films and cultural activities from the Province of Québec celebrating the Jubilé Franco-Américain programming from 1994-2011 and the 19 year partnership with the Délègation du Québec, Boston and Tourism Québec. This year, we introduce the Québec Film Festival!
• Return of the Rhode Island Film Forum, on Thursday, August 8th in collaboration with the RI Film & Television Office, the Harrington School of Communication at the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University (click here to learn more)
• New focus and thrust for the annual ScriptBiz Screenplay Pitch Seminar and showcase of this year's Grand Prize Screenplay competition winner, Alfred Thomas Catalfo for his screenplay "Betrayed" (click here to learn more).
• DISCOVER RI: Walking Tour of Providence and film location sites in collaboration with the RI Historical Society and the RI Film & Television Office
• Celebrating its 50th Anniversary and a new partnership with the INSAS (Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle et des Techniques de diffusion), the Graduate School of Arts of the French Community of Belgium, one of the Europe's premier film institutes and screening of international student graduate thesis films. http://www.insas.be/;
• Partnership with the International Cinematographers Guild and showcase of short film winners of the Emerging Cinematographer Awards presented free at locations in Barrington and Westerly;
• Partnership programming of short films from UniFrance;
• Select films from New England filmmakers take the stage in partnership with the Woods Hole Film Festival and the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival;
• Films from Norway, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, the UK and many many more -- 51 countries will be represented in all;
• Live music programming throughout the Festival by Flickers artists;
• Expanded Youth Film Jury Screenings and programming and new partnership with RI Foundation Equity Action to expand LGBTQ youth participation;
• FUTURE FILMMAKING: Digital Documentary
Bridging Cultures: a free panel discussion and film screening
• and much, much more....
Tuesday, August 6th
RIIFF's Opening Night Premiere and Gala Celebration
Join RIIFF for our 17th annual Opening Night screening and celebration and revel in the talent, artistry, and creation that is the Rhode Island International Film Festival. RIIFF’s Opening Night screening spotlight’s the very best of our short film submissions serving to provide a taste of the breadth of subject matter, inspiration, and talent that is prevalent in the festival.
The post screening party is a celebration of cinematic excellence. We welcome all film patrons and visiting filmmakers to share in the festivities. An array of local restaurants are providing refreshments. To learn more, click here
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Location:The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 for film screening only
August 8th
The Rhode Island Film Forum
The RI Film Forum is a one-day symposium hosting leading national and local film industry players, conversing about the key issues facing the Rhode Island and New England film community today. This informative and entertaining discussion presents our region's small business owners, filmmakers, community organizations, and film enthusiasts with the latest opportunities for better understanding, and getting involved with, local film production and exhibition. To learn more, click here
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Location: The Providence Biltmore Ballroom, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00; includes brunch
Wednesday-Saturday, August 7-10th
Providence LGBTQ Film Festival
In its 14th year, the LGBTQ Film Festival brings Rhode Island filmgoers a diverse sampling of over 40 international films both made by and made for members of the LGBTQ community. The festival kicks off this year with an opening night filmmaker reception party at the Bell Street Chapel. The event starts at 6 p.m. To see the films playing throughout RIIFF that make up this popular sidebar, click here.
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Location:Bell Street Chapel Theatre, 5 Bell Street, Providence
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 for Opening Gala on 8/8 at 8:00 p.m.; $10 regular film admission
This year's beneficiary will be RI Youth Pride
Friday, August 9th:
ScriptBiz Rewired 2013
A day-long workshop that
explores how to hone your creative and business skills
Trying to navigate through the Hollywood system? Tired of receiving rejection after rejection? 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 17th Annual FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) proudly presents ScriptBiz 2013 Rewired a one-day workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of being a scriptwriter. The program is broken down into two parts: introductory and advanced. The Flickers’ 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. For more information,click here
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Date: Friday, August 10, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: The Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI
Cost: $85
Sponsors: Sony, Amtrak, InkTip, Final Draft, URI College of Arts and Sciences, URI Feinstein College of Continuing Education, and the URI Film Media Program
FUTURE FILMMAKING: Digital Documentary
Bridging Cultures
A free public symposium
examining the impact on filmmaking and storytelling by new technologies. From internet uploads on YouTube
to Vimeo to cell phone capture, documentary filmmaking has changed the face of modern news gathering.
Technology has allowed information to flow outside of political gate keeping creating a true global village;
bridging cultures and addressing topical social and political concerns. For more information, click here
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: TBA, Providence, RI
Cost:Free
Sponsors: URI Film Media Program and the Harrington School of Communications
And Later this Year...
October 17-20th
Flickers: RI International Horror Film Festival
Now in its 14th ghoulish year! This year's programming promises to be truly amazing with major premieres, forum, our annual HP Lovecraft Walking our and much much more. There will be something for everyone with our expanded programming that will take place across the state. It's four days of horror, murder, mayhem, music and the best independent film work that has been submitted to us from around the globe. Ground zero for this event will once again be the spookily historic Bell Street Chapel Theatre, with additional screenings taking place at the Providence Public Library, the Paff Theatre at the URI Feinstein
College of Continuing Education in Providence,the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Roger Williams University in Bristol, and at the Jamestown Arts Center.Click here to learn more...
We are very pleased to report that the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival will continue to partner with UniFrance. French films submitted will be offered a special reduced rate through UniFrance. This unique collaboration was created to show our support for international filmmakers, while providing a portal for discovery and exhibition in the United States.
For more information about UniFrance, click on the image above.
This year’s winner, “Fix You Up” by Rachel Smith, tells the story of Rory, a workaholic transplant surgeon who cares more about the organs she operates on than the people they belong to. When she breaks her wrist and is out of work, she meets Grace, a spirited musician, who forces Rory to question her choices in life and love. 
