The Monthly Read Cover to Cover - Front Porch Fredericksburg On-Line Magazine

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Reel to Reel
Film Fest ready to roll
When The Fredericksburg Athenaeum received an endowment from the Silver Cos. last year, Athenaeum Executive Director Paul Lewis went right to work to bring something special to downtown Fredericksburg. The result is the creation of this month’s first annual Rappahannock Independent Film Festival, to be held at several venues throughout historic downtown Fredericksburg Sept. 18 - 21. Capturing a Caan-like atmosphere, Fredericksburg style, Paul hopes to attract 2500 attendees, to engage 100 participating entrants and encourage new work in the cinematic arts for artists, writers and filmmakers in the city, region and global community of shared interests. That may be a big-screen ambition but the festival’s progress indicates it will project ably toward its goals. The Theme is “Portraits in 24 Frames,” featuring original short films highlighting portraits of people, places or things. Awards and cash prizes will be given in three categories: Best in Show, Best Student Film, Best Use of Theme. The student category will be limited to Virginia students. The other categories are open to all independent filmmakers. “RIFF 2008 will be an exciting opportunity for Fredericksburg to experience the talents of local film-makers, and for the film-makers to find public appreciation for their artistic expression,” says RIFF Creative Director, Ryan Poe [one of Lewis’ young lions, who are making their mark on Fredericksburg area culture]. “The student opportunities will be an important aspect to this festival,” notes Ryan. Paul expects the festival to provide a needed outlet for a growing local filmmaking and performing-arts community, and says the opportunity to help bring the downtown community together remains a key objective. In an e-mailed statement, he notes: “… It is the right time for a film-based event, as there is currently no local outlet for this collaborative art form, involving artists, writers, actors, and filmmakers… We hope that the festival will not only make a positive economic impact on behalf of the city’s downtown historic center, but that it will establish an annual event that will continue to highlight Fredericksburg as a state-wide leader in the arts.” The Fredericksburg Athenaeum is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization working on behalf of the area’s arts and letters. It celebrated its fifth anniversary this March. Up-to-Date news and information are available by visiting the festival’s website: www.rifilmfestival.com Also see the FP Calendar of Events and the RIFF advertisements in this issue.
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