The 3rd Annual KidsEye International Film Festival will debut in Newport on Saturday, August 4 with over 30 children’s films, representing such countries Canada, Israel, China, Russia, the Slovak Republic, and the United States. The Festival will feature a lineup which includes live action, animated and documentary films produced by adult and youth filmmakers. Produced by the Flickers Arts Collaborative, the KidsEye Film Festival is part of the annual Rhode Island International Film Festival that will take place August 8-13. The KidsEye festival will be held in Newport this year at the Opera House, Boys & Girls Club of Newport County and the O’Hare Academic Building at Salve Regina University.
“You might say Newport finally has its own ‘kiddie Cannes,” says Eleyne Austen Sharp, director of the festival. “Most of the films are World and United States premieres, so we’re expecting many of the filmmakers to attend the screenings and, of course, our casting call and Pirate Party closing.”
There will be plenty of family activities during this year’s Festival. First up will be an Open Casting Call for child actors which will be conducted by Anne Mulhall of LDI Casting. This will be held at the Boys & Girls Club on Church Street from 10 AM – 12 noon. LDI Casting is looking for new talent and encourages participants to bring their head shot and resume. This is a free and open to all.
At 3 PM, the KidsEye Pirate Party fund-raiser begins with entertainment courtesy of Radio Disney, followed by a “Meet the Filmmaker” Panel discussion with Doug Lively, director of “Mystic Nights and Pirate Fights,” Jerry Wellman, director of “Halls of Wonder: Celestial Reveries” and special guests.
The third annual Festival awards will be presented in the categories of Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Animation, Outstanding Achievement in a Children’s Feature Film or Short, KidsEye Best of Fest and the Newport Award for Young Filmmakers. Bob Colonna, creator and former artistic director of Rhode Island Shakespeare Theatre, will return to Newport to emcee the event.
The Festival will end with a musical bang with the performance by the popular boy band “Own D’vice.” Following the concert, the band will sign autographs.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children and entertainment, awards ceremony, panel discussion and refreshments. (Half price to anyone wearing a complete pirate costume.)
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS ^ Last August, the KidsEye International Film Festival was held at RISD Auditorium in Providence, boasting “Mr. Rice’s Secret” starring David Bowie.
“Since so many films like “The Great Gatsby” and “Amistad” were shot in Newport-and our KidsEye filmmaking camp (for ages 8-16) has been so successful in the city as well-it seems the perfect match for our children’s festival. And besides, Flickers was born in Newport in 1981 and this is it’s home.” says Sharp.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the screening of the KidsEye filmmaking camp movie, “Here’s Looking at You, Newport.”
“Last year, our filmmakers produced their own vampire movie and this year they will be creating a documentary about Newport’s historical “firsts,” said George T. Marshall, Executive Director of the Flickers Arts Collaborative.
“Students will be conducting interviews with Mayor Richard Sardella and other Newport notables. We are very pleased that NBC-10 investigative reporter Jim Taricani will assist the KidsEye filmmakers (ages 8-16) with their interviewing techniques. NBC 10 is a sponsor for this year’s Festival!”
FESTIVAL SCREENING ^ KidsEye Film Screenings will take place at the Opera House, located on Touro Street, and present two feature films: 9 AM- “Thomas and The Falconer” (United States Premiere – Slovak Republic) and at 11:00 AM-“Mystic Nights and Pirate Fights” (Rhode Island Premiere – USA)
At the O’Hare Academic Building auditorium , Salve Regina University, Ochre Point Avenue, three collections of short subjects will be shown: 9:00 AM-“Here’s Looking at You, Newport!” (World Premiere – KidsEyeâ„¢ 2001 project), “Bicycle” (United States Premiere -Israel), “Show Chickens” (World Premiere – USA), “Dead Men Do Tell Tales” (New England Premiere – USA), “Daydreamer 2” (USA), “Rising High” (USA), “Growing Season” (USA), “The Lesson” (USA); 11:00 AM- “Here’s Looking at You, Newport!” (KidsEyeâ„¢ 2001 project), “Little Moments ” (United States Premiere – Canada), “A Day in the Life of a Soldier” (World Premiere – USA), “Tap: The Migration of a People and Their Dance” (New England Premiere – USA), “Peter Rabbit and The Crucifix” (USA), “Dennis” (USA); 1:00 PM-“Here’s Looking at You, Newport!” (KidsEyeâ„¢ 2001 project), “Quangle Wangle” (United States Premiere – Hong Kong, China), “Pocket Watch” (USA), “Paradise Lounge” (USA), “To Ease The Loss” (New England Premiere – USA), “Off The Curb: The Heart of Hip Hop” (US Premiere with RIIFF 2000 -USA) and a special appearance by Off The Curb.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, 95 Church Street, a collection of animation films will be shown: 12 noon- “Aliens?” (Rhode Island Premiere – USA), “Five Little Monkeys” (New England Premiere – USA), “Maggie and the Ferocious Beast” (Rhode Island Premiere – Canada), “Lint People”(Rhode Island Premiere – USA), “Shivelry” (New England Premiere – USA), “A Day in the Life of a Boarder” (World Premiere – USA), “Smoky Lies” (New England Premiere – USA),”It’s My Life” (United States Premiere – Russia), “Halls of Wonder: Celestial Reveries” (New England Premiere -USA), “Kimono Story” (New England Premiere – USA), “The Box” (New England Premiere – USA), “Redwall: Battle Plans” (New England Premiere – Canada), “Ornaments” (Rhode Island Premiere – USA).
For more information, call 401-861-4445 or visit the offical festival web site.
