Editor

The Rhode Island International Film Festival hosted its 'Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase' this Saturday, August 12, 2006 at the historic Columbus Theatre Arts Center, 270 Broadway in Providence, RI.

The afternoon and evening screenings feature the producing and directorial film debuts of superstars Gwyneth Paltrow, Tiffani Thiessen, Tori Spelling and Adrian Grenier.

The films also feature all-new original scores and songs by Grammy Award-winning artists including Paul Doucette (Matchbox 20) and Tanya Donelly (Belly), along with Andrew Chukerman (composer for 'Frasier,' 'Charmed,' keyboardist for Rod Stewart), Lori McKenna (Faith Hill songwriter), and actress Lisa Zane ('ER').

All directors, producers and composers are scheduled to appear at their screenings.

The films also feature such stars as Charlie Shanian and Randy Spelling (brother of Tori Spelling).

For further information, call Al Gomes at 401-274-4770

'Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase' will include two screenings featuring 10 short films.

Shows are at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Both will take place in The Columbus Theatre Arts Center's upstairs theatre, The Columbus Cinematheque.

Tickets for each individual screening is $10.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is a qualifying festival with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Best Short Live Action Film for their annual Academy Awards of which all the short films in the 'Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase' are now in official consideration for.

In addition, all 'Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase' films are in consideration to be submitted to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' Grammy Awards in one or more of the following categories: Best Score, Best Song Written for A Film, Best Compilation Soundtrack for A Motion Picture, Best Long Form Music Video, and Best Short Form Music Video.

Advance ticket sales for screenings and special events are available through the RIIFF website ( http://www.rifilmfest.org ). Student, group, and senior discounts are also available but only in advance. To purchase tickets or obtain information about any aspect of RIIFF, call 401-861-4445, or email info@film-festival.org or log onto http://www.rifilmfest.org .

'Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase' Screenings
On Saturday, August 12, 2006 Are As Follows:

The Columbus Theatre Arts Center Cinematheque (Upstairs)
4:30 pm
'Dealbreaker' (Directed by Gwyneth Paltrow)
'Euthanasia' (Directed by Adrian Grenier)
Other films include: 'Hold Please,' 'Gnome' and 'Across the Hall'

The Columbus Theatre Arts Center Cinematheque (Upstairs)
6:30 pm
'Just Pray' (Directed by Tiffani Thiessen /
Music by Paul Doucette, Lori McKenna and Tanya Donelly)
'Le Chase' (Directed by and starring Charlie Shanian /
Produced by Tori Spelling / Score by Andrew Chukerman) 'Transgressions' (Directed by Valerie Weiss / Music by Paul Doucette) Other films include: 'Dysfunction' and 'A Little Light'

The Rhode International Film Festival's 10th Anniversary Celebration is sponsored by the City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council, the Providence Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism, Sony, Clear Channel Communications, Delta Airlines, Amtrak, WJAR NBC 10, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Providence Monthly, Motif Magazine, Radio Disney, Feinstein IMAX Providence, the Goethe Institute Boston, Rule Broadcast Systems, and contributions from members and community supporters.