The Rhode Island International Film Festival screened over 75 features/featurettes and 130 short films over the six-day run, and many of the film’s directors were present for their screening. The festival’s mission statement expresses their desire to “create opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent film directors,” and they accomplished this by convincing many filmmakers that it would be worthwhile to make the trip to Providence to support their film screening. However, the festival’s mission statement mentions nothing about providing suitable audiences for the actual films, and most of the filmmakers were met with disappointing turnouts.
In this case bigger is not better as the festival was saturated with too many films and choices. This combined with general lack of community awareness and support for the festival made it seem fruitless for many of the filmmakers who made the trip to Providence for their one and only screening time.
The festival directors are quite aware that their festival has flaws, and they are striving to receive feedback so that they can continue to improve it. They certainly have the infrastructure, foundation, and potential to be a great regional festival and only time will tell whether or not the suggestions they receive will be taken to heart and properly implemented.
Film Threat’s Kent Bye made the trip to Rhode Island and captured many of the featured filmmakers and highlights of the festival in his latest photo diary installment. Just click on a link below to take you to the next set of pictures in our Rhode Island International Film Festival Photo Diary 2001!
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001 PHOTO DIARY>>>
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001: FESTIVAL WINNERS>>>
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001: MORE FESTIVAL WINNERS>>>
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001: FEATURE FILMMAKERS>>>
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001: SHORT FILMMAKERS>>>
RHODE ISLAND INTL. FILM FESTIVAL 2001: PANELS AND CLOSING NIGHT>>>
