FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS AUGUST…
From Awards, Webinars, Virtual Film Screenings and a Special Preview Night to Commemorate the 39th Anniversary Year of Flickers, RIIFF Celebrates the Best of International Filmmaking
The 25th Annual Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), running August 9-15, 2021, is a major destination on the Festival circuit and recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a Qualifying Festival in all short film categories. It is the only Festival in New England with this accolade. The Festival welcomes stellar filmmaking talents from all over the world to beautiful Providence, Rhode Island-one of America’s oldest and most beloved cities.
This year, responding to the impact of COVID-19, the Festival will take a hybrid approach utilizing area Drive-In theatres and intimate outdoor screening venues. Virtual programming will also take place online
RIIFF embraces both filmmakers and screenwriters with the sort of warm-hearted spirit that fosters long-lasting friendships, sparks exciting creative projects, and inspires artists to return again and again. Last year, six films from the Festival received Oscar® nominations and two, “Colette” directed by Anthony Giacchino and Alice Doyard, and “If Anything Happens I Love You” directed by Will McCormack and Michael Govier, won for Best Documentary and Animation Short, respectively. To date, there have been 76 Oscar® nominations from the Festival and 13 wins.
Along with film screenings at the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In, Misquamicut Drive-In, the Rooftop of the Providence G, and the Waterfire Arts Center, online webinars, industry workshops, special tributes, virtual coffee talks, filmmaker interviews, and post film screening Q&A’s, the 2021 Festival will feature a dynamic array of programs and events for both filmmakers and festival audience members. This programming includes the acclaimed Scriptbiz Seminar, the Rhode Island Film Forum, interviews on the Festival’s weekly Rhode Island PBS series, “doubleFEATURE,” the Youth Film Jury, KidsEye Screenings, a virtual Awards program and the announcement of this year’s Winifred Brownell Scholarship Fund award winner.
The Festival Schedule will be available starting the week of July 25th and will be evolving with new programming appearing daily. Links to films will appear on their scheduled play dates and remain live for a period of seven (7) days.
2021 FESTIVAL DEDICATION:
This year’s Festival is dedicated to the memory of Gloria Andrade, mother of long-term Flickers’ Board member, Lawrence Andrade. A special celebration of her life will take place during Flickers official Opening Night celebration on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In North Smithfield, RI.
According to George T. Marshall, Flickers Executive Director, “Gloria Andrade was a loyal and fervent supporter of the Festival. We felt it important to celebrate her contributions and call attention to someone who made this a better world for all of us. After the year plus of lockdowns due to COVID, we want to call attention to those we lost, acknowledge their loss and to most importantly celebrate their lives.”
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office said, “My favorite week of the year has finally arrived. We salute Flickers and the prestigious Rhode Island International Film Festival for celebrating 39 exciting years of excellence. Six films from last year’s Festival – including the amazing “Collette” — went on to be nominated for the elusive Academy Award! What an amazing journey!