(NEWPORT, RI) In 1984, a dedicated group of civic and community leaders were drawn together to help create an event that celebrated the arts, culture and Rhode Island’s historical friendship with Japan. One of the founding members of this group was Flickers—The Newport Film Society, which participated by creating, curating and presenting the Japanese Film Festival. Now, 25 years later and as many years of screening this festival, Flickers has evolved into the Flickers Arts Collaborative and produces the Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) which is now celebrating its12th year.

As a prelude to its August event (August 5-10, 2008), the Rhode Island International Film Festival, through Flickers, is proud to again continue to salute the Black Ships Festival in Newport. From Friday, July 18th- Sunday, July 20th, RIIFF will present its annual three-day celebration of the best of Japanese filmmaking. Along with a number of US film premieres, this mini-festival will feature award-winning shorts, cutting-edge anime, several feature-length films and a special multi-media concert presentation: East Meets West: THE Music of Ikuma DAn (Sunday, July 20th) — a musical celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Black Ships Festival. This concert is under the direction of Eric R. Bronner and features pianist Nancy Nicholson, Julibeth Andrews and Kara Lund. The Black Ships Japanese Film Festival is curated by James Hinsey.

For more information, call 401.861.4445 or go to www.film-festival.org/BlackShipsJapaneseFF.php 


“We feel that this is a great way for the general public to discover how Japanese cinema has influenced so many of the world’s leading filmmakers and artists,” said RIIFF Executive Director, George T. Marshall, founder of both Flickers and RIIFF.


“We began screening Japanese films for the Black Ships Festival in 1984.” added Marshall. “Thanks to the worldwide reputation of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, we have access to major new work that is submitted. This year alone, we expect over 3,000 entries, with many coming from filmmakers in Japan. RIIFF is the only New England Film Festival that is a qualifying festival for the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, (aka, the Oscars), and that has had a major influence in the quality and volume of the work we receive." 

WHAT IS THE BLACK SHIPS FESTIVAL?

The Black Ships Festival commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, of Newport, Rhode Island. The "Black Ships," or "Kurofune," refers to the Japanese term for foreign ships, which, with one exception, were excluded from Japan for two hundred years until 1854. Commodore Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the United States and Japan, thus ending two centuries of Japanese isolationism. The Black Ships Festival celebrates the signing of the treaty, which brought the two countries together as trading partners.


The Black Ships Festival is presented by The Japan-America Society Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc., a non-profit, non-partisan organization. For further information, contact The Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, 28 Pelham Street, Newport, RI 02840, call (401) 846-2720 or their website at www.BlackShipsFestival.com.

The special film program being presented this year by RIIFF will take place at locations in Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett. The dates are July 18 –20th.

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN OF IT:

Friday, July 18:

The Classic World of Japanese Film

Japanese films have inspired and influenced American filmmakers from George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola to Steven Speilberg. Tonight’s screening is a rarely seen gem that played during the first Japanese Film Festival 25 years ago.

Location: CCRI, Newport County Campus, Auditorium 134, One John H. Chafee Blvd., Newport

Time: 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. With discussion afterwards

Cost: Free

Saturday, July 19:

New Directions in Japanese Cinema I

Cutting-edge films scheduled for the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival, are given a “First Look” advance screening.

Location: CCRI, Newport County Campus, Auditorium 134, One John H. Chafee Blvd., Newport

Time: 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

RIIFF Japanese Anime Festival

This art of Japanese movie and television animation, which often has a science fiction theme, has gained huge popularity in the United States. Tonight it is given a special showcase featuring some classic and modern examples of the genre.

Location: The Shorebreak, Pier Cinema, 3 Beach St, Narragansett, RI

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $10; $8 for seniors/students and RIIFF members

Sunday, July 20:

New Directions in Japanese Cinema II

Cutting-edge films scheduled for the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival, are given a “First Look” advance screening.

Location: Jamestown Community Center, 41 Conanicus Avenue, Jamestown

Time: Noon - 4:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

East Meets West: The Music of Ikuma Dan

A Musical celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Black Ships Festival, featuring the music of acclaimed Japanese composer, Ikuma Dan as performed by Music for a While.

Location: Central Baptist Church, 99 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, R.I.

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Cost: $12; $10 for seniors/students and RIIFF members

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers.  Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF incorporates gala celebrations, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies into a weeklong extravaganza.  Cited as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival, screening a record 300 films.  Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. This year’s Festival takes place August 5-10, 2008.

For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-

861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org, website: www.RIFilmFest.org