TOP RIIFF DOCS SUBMITTED TO PRESTIGIOUS CHINESE FILM FESTIVAL

GuangzhouDocumentary Film Festival is the largest in China

PROVIDENCE,RI --For the second year in a row, a select group of top documentaries from the RhodeIsland International Film Festival (RIIFF) will be submitted to the GuangzhouDocumentary Film Festival (GZ DOC) in Guangzhou, China as part of a specialexchange program between the two festivals.

ThroughRIIFF’s partnership with GZ DOC – China’s largest documentary festival – the topRIIFF documentaries have an opportunity to screen at the Chinese film festivaland vice versa.  Additionally,RIIFF docs have been chosen by GZDOC to participate in the SapphireMoving Image Salon traveling film series and special events for trade,cultural, and educational organizations.

“Thisis a unique opportunity for RIIFF filmmakers to reach Chinese audiences,”commented Adam Short, RIIFF’s Producing Director.  “Not only do our filmmakers gain through this importantpartnership, but local audiences have a chance to see great documentary filmscurrently coming out of China.”

Accordingto GZ DOC Festival Director He Shaoguang, “Our festivals have recommended threedocumentaries to each other.  Whileit may not sound like many films, it is the start of a productivecollaboration.  Chinese documentaryfilmmakers are very glad to know their films are being screened in the RovingEye Documentary Film Festival.  Ilook forward to visiting the festival with our filmmakers and to our continuedcooperation in the upcoming year.”

Lastyear, the RIIFF Audience Choice Award winning documentary “From The 50 YardLine” was accepted into GZ DOC. The film not only played to large audiences at the festival, but it wasalso included in a traveling screening series that toured major Chinese cities.

Thisyear’s nominated titles include:

• “Commit to the Line” Rachelle Dermer, director.  First Prize winner at RIIFF’s Providence Film Festival.

• “Louisa May Alcott:  The Woman Behind Little Women” Nancy Porter, director.  Grand Prize winner at RIIFF’s Providence Film Festival.

• “Small Voices: The Stories of Cambodia’s Children” Heather Connell, director.  Second Place winner for Best Feature Documentary.

The Flickers Arts Collaborative, anorganization with 25 years of experience presenting major artistic events aswell as independent and foreign films to the public, produces the RhodeIsland International Film Festival. 

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discoversand empowers filmmakers.  Held inProvidence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one ofonly 62 film festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the AcademyAwards (i.e. “Oscars”).  RIIFF isNew England’s largest film festival. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyalaudiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for filmpremieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. 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

ABOUT THE GUANGZHOU DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

The Guangzhou International Documentary Festival (GZ DOC) started in2003 and, after five editions, has secured its status as the top documentaryfilm festival in China, as well as an important part of the internationaldocumentary market in Asia.  Thefestival is held annually in December in Guangzhou and includes a DocumentaryMarket, public screenings, a thematic competition, and documentary-making seminars.  All sections are open for applicationto participants internationally and domestically.  For more information, please visit us on the web at<www.gzdoc.com>.