In a break from tradition and as a celebration of its status as a qualifying festival in the short film category for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Rhode Island International Film Festival will kick off this year’s Opening Night with a special series of shorts from around the world.
Beginning August 5 and running until the 10th, film talent from around the world will converge in Providence for the 7th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival. New England’s largest film festival will feature 185 films from more than 37 countries and from filmmakers across the United States.
“The Rhode Island International Film Festival stands as a centerpiece of our thriving arts community,” said Providence Mayor David M. Cicilline. “It gives momentum to our artists and our cinemas–most notably to such landmarks as the Columbus Theatre; and to such innovative programs as KidsEye, the summer filmmaking camp for children. From here spring the Farrelly’s, the Michael Correntes and the Kenneth Branaghs of tomorrow.”
“Over the course of six days in August, we will hold breakfast seminars, world premiere film screenings at multiple venues, ‘meet the director’ question-and-answer sessions immediately following certain films, and gala parties with special guest/celebrity networking receptions–all open to the general public,” notes RIIFF Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq.
“Our goal is to bring independent film art to our state and encourage patronage of this creative medium. Because film distributors use RIIFF to scout out new talent, many filmmakers have secured distribution contracts as a result of having their work screened here.”
RIIFF opens on Tuesday, August 5th with a unique series of short films from around the world. These include the East Cast premiere of director Kenneth Branagh’s, “Listening,” It is the second short film that Branagh has directed and the first he has written; his short film directorial debut, “Swan Song,” starring Sir John Gielgud, won him an Academy Award nomination. “Listening” is the first in a planned series on the senses.
Find out what else the fest has in store at the RIFF website.
