On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, “an unforgettably memorable selection of short films from around the world and New England” will kick off the 23rd Annual Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).
RIIFF is recognized by the Academy as a Qualifying Festival in all short film categories, with nine films from last year’s Festival nominated for Academy Awards. The World Premiere of Chris Overton’s “The Silent Child” took place at RIIFF two years ago, received the Festival’s Grand Prize and Academy nomination, and went on to receive the coveted Oscar. To date, 66 films that have premiered at the Festival have gone on to receive Academy Award nominations. There have been 10 wins.
In fact, the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival is one of only a handful of qualifying Festivals with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences- the Oscars –in the Live Action, Animation and Documentary short categories, the Canadian Screen Awards and the British Academy of Television & Film Arts (BAFTA). It is the lone Festival in New England with these accolades and one of 10 worldwide.
OPENING NIGHT FILM LINEUP
My Moon
Directed by: Eusong Lee | 9 min. United States, 2018
A relationship between three celestial bodies; a romance between Earth, Moon, and Sun. Presenting “My Moon”, a new short film directed by Eusong Lee, brought to you by King of Pine in collaboration with Chromosphere.
A Sister
Directed by: Delphine Girard | 16 min. Belgium, 2019
A night. A car. A women in trouble. A call.
The Christmas Gift
Directed by: Bogdan Muresanu | 23 min. Romania, 2018
On the 20th of December, 1989, a few days after Ceausescu’s bloody repression in Timisoara, a father’s quiet evening turns to sheer ordeal as he finds out that his little son has mailed a wish letter to Santa. As the kid understood, his father’s desire was to see Ceausescu dead.
AYANEH
Directed by: Nicolas Greinacher | 14 min. Switzerland, 2019
Set in Switzerland, our story follows Ayaneh, a young refugee from Afghanistan. One day at a public swimming pool she meets Anna and instantly feels attracted to her. As the relationship between the two women develops, Ayaneh is confronted with growing resistance from her religious family.
The filmmaker and cast will be in attendance
Turkey’s Done
Directed by: Monique Impagliazzo, Jennifer Tini | 18 min. United States, 2018
Turkey’s Done is a short comedic film revolving around Peaches Bracco (Cheri Oteri), a South Philly housewife, who is impatiently waiting for her cheating husband to come home for a Thanksgiving he’ll never forget. With support from her neighbors (some of them begrudgingly) Peaches finally has the chance to walk away from the man who has strayed one too many times after remaining by his side for years during his incarceration.
The filmmaker and cast will be in attendance
Storm
Directed by: Will Kindrick | 11 min. United States, 2019
A government enforced dating app malfunctions sending an unexpected user through a series of splash portals determined to seal his fate.
STAND UP
Directed by: Pierre Le Gall, Sarah Malléon | 20 min. France, 2018
Martinique Island. Joseph, 8, refuses to accept the departure of his older brother to the mainland France. Influenced by the traditional stories of his grandfather, he is convinced that Lentikri, an ancient martinican monster, prowls around the house to attack his family. Joseph decides to confront it.