Rhode Island International Film Festival Opening Celebrations

The Gala Opening of the 4th Annual Brooks Pharmacy Providence/Rhode Island International Film Festival filled the city’s Columbus Theatre with filmmakers, celebrities, and moviegoers. Everyone in attendance anxiously awaited the festival’s opening screenings, along with the presentment of the RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award to Academy Award winning actress Patricia Neal.

Festivities to kick off the five-day worldwide independent filmmaking began with a champagne reception for guests, followed by the much-anticipated introduction of Ms. Neal. The accomplished actress, known for her American stage and screen performances, winner of an Academy Award for her unforgettable 1963 performance in Hud, with Paul Newman, graciously accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to her on behalf of the RIIFF, as the crowd stood in admiration. Neal whole-heartedly thanked everyone who was in attendance for the World Premiere of her most recent film, For the Love of May. She especially showed her gratitude toward Mary McDonough, who she affectionately refers to as her "daughter," explaining that McDonough is the reason she chose to do the film. The directing debut of McDonough’s For the Love of May was certainly not the first time the ladies worked together—McDonough played Neal’s daughter in the film Homecoming, for which the long-running hit TV series "The Waltons" was based upon. Homecoming placed Neal and McDonough in mother and daughter roles, resulting in their affectionate namesakes. A Festival Scholarship Fund will be established in honor of Ms. Neal.

The opening short of the evening was Director Fred Surr’s comedy There Once Was a Man From Pawtucket, which kept the audience roaring with laughter throughout its run. Next up was director Mary McDonough’s For the Love of May, starring Patricia Neal and Michael Learned. The well-received short gave us a glimpse into different perspectives on love.

The opening feature, acclaimed documentary Amargosa, was chosen "as a way for many of the artists that were present to connect with the extraordinarily inspirational life of dancer-choreographer-painter Marta Becket," said RIIFF Managing Director Elisabeth Newberry Galligan. Tim Robinson’s portrait of the artist’s daring decision to escape the New York art scene to live out a dream in ultra-remote Death Valley Junction proved to be quite compelling.

Following the Gala Premiere Screenings, everyone joined in celebration at the State House Rotunda for an evening of music and socializing. "Over all, the evening was a resounding success. We had a packed house at the Columbus Theatre of over seven-hundred supporters who celebrated in the kick off of our journey to five days of the finest independent filmmaking," said Galligan.

Over the next four days breakfast seminars, film screenings at multiple venues, question-and-answer sessions, and gala parties with special guest receptions are all open to the public.

Alli-Michelle Conti