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RIFF: The Preview
Aug. 27-30	Paul Lewis
If it takes a village to raise a child ... what might it take to build a film festival? Well, for RIFF 2009, one might say it took something of a global hamlet, with forces near and far engaged in a collaboration of synchronistic whimsy. Or something like that. Anyway, RIFF 2009 began very quickly after RIFF 2008 ended last September, the festival staff and volunteers still with that hollow, glassy-eyed look. We managed to agree to meet the next month at a secluded, ghostly retreat in the West Virginia springs valley and contemplate what had actually happened, and if we could actually do it all over again. The meeting was a wild success ... well, not so wild ... and we agreed that we'd have a go at year two! And almost that very same weekend, like many great ideas brought out into the open by a communal sense of altruistic energy, the world greeted the news with global economic collapse. Well … we were undaunted! And now, here we are. For the global part, it all started with the filmmakers, who wherever they found themselves, were building their films with collaborations all their own. RIFF joined Withoutabox, the facilitator of getting independent films to film festivals worldwide, in an effort to broaden our festival's reach, and bring a greater number of these filmmakers to us. For the local part, we enlisted the help of so many great folks who either simply took pity on us or who truly love what a film festival can bring to a community. We had our base, the staff and volunteers who kept the ideas and energy alive. We were donated the professional services of not one but three professional web and graphic designers. We had new businesses who partnered with the Athenaeum and the festival to explore new ground in marketing and development. We had a group of film watchers and jurors who took on the sometimes not so pretty task of screening all the films submitted. Nearly every Wednesday night since January, a small but dedicated group of folks have met to help develop this event for your benefit: Ryan Poe, Ian Soper, Beth McClain, Cat Pacassasi , Worth Haile, Stephen Graham, Seth Casana, Jeff Campbell, David Mann. They should be applauded. And I'll start the effort here. So, the result? A festival of 32 films from all over the world, with four juried prizes to be awarded to the best in four distinct categories. There are several free events including an opening night musical concert by recording artist, Benjy Ferree, at The University cafe and a free film workshop with Kelley Baker, independent filmmaker, author and the sound-designer on films like Good Will Hunting. And, of course, there are the social things like our “brew interlude” at the Capital Ale House and the after-parties and an award's brunch provided by the incredible folks at The Kenmore Inn. RIFF 2009 is the kind of event that separates this city from so many others. A city where art does indeed matter. Join us, August 27 – 30. Paul Lewis is Director, The Fredericksburg Athenaeum, sponsors of RIFF 2009. Learn more at rifilmfestival.com and fredart.org Kelley Baker, AKA, The Angry Filmmaker - Independent filmmaker, author and sound designer, will conduct a filmmaking workshop, Saturday, August 29th, 10 AM - 1 PM, 109 Amelia Street, The Athenaeum. Benjy Ferree - recording artist, to perform Thursday, August 27, 8 PM, free - The University Café.
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