The Rhode Island International Film Festival began its ninth year at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, August 9th, in Providence at the Columbus Theatre (270 Broadway) with a focus on the art of short films. Selected from thousands of submissions from throughout the world, the two-hour program of local, national and international shorts represents an eclectic array of genres. The Festival's traditional opening-night focus on shorts promises to surpass the excitement of last year's sold-out event.

THE OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM

Billy Gilman: The Making of the Videos, 2005 USA
World Premiere
Director: Alec Asten
Producers: Alec Asten / Al Gomes / Cynthia Roberge
Runtime: 18 min.
Multi-platinum recording star Billy Gilman returns after a two-year hiatus with the acclaimed CD, 'Everything and More.' This documentary short chronicles where Billy is headed as an artist and features interviews with Billy, his manager Angela Bacari, his video director Alec Asten, video creative director Jonas Sanchez, and producer Eric Torriello, as they discuss his music and the concept and the making of his latest videos, and how they relate to the evolution of his musical career. The documentary features the world premiere of his latest video, 'Hey Little Suzie (The Cause of All That).'

The Butcher and The Housewife, 2005, USA New England Premiere
Producer/Director: Ishai Setton
Runtime: 18 minutes
The story of an unhappy woman married to a vegetarian and the butcher who appreciates her charms. Features a talented cast that includes shoppers and supermarket baggers dancing to the music of Scorpion.

Viaje a Marte (Journey to Mars), 2003, Argentina East Coast Premiere In the1960s, 5-year-old Antonio's grandfather promises to fulfill the boy's wish to travel to Mars by taking him to the red planet in his tow-truck.

9:30, 2005 USA/Singapore
Director: Mun Chee Yong
Producer: Ryan Sturz/Brett Heneberg
Runtime: 13 min.
Chan Kin Fai has flown 14092.2 km from Singapore to Los Angeles to forget the person he loves. So why does he call his object of affection everyday at 9:30 Singapore time?

Hibernation, 2005 UK
World Premiere
Director: John Williams
Producer: Andy Gordon
Runtime: 15 min.
In 1985, in a secret tree house, two children disguised in animal costumes experiment to revive a bee.

Cherie, 2005 UK World Premiere
Director: Jason Wenn
Runtime: 15 min.
Cherie aspires to be a famous painter in the big city but has to make-do

as a waitress. As hope fails, her muse visits her unexpectedly.

Triumph des Nichtschwimmers (Swimming Lessons), 2005 Germany World Premiere
Director: Martin Dolejs
Producer: Frank Becher/Sandra Barger
Runtime: 7 min.
In the summer of 1979, ten-year old Milosch realizes that to win the heart of his dream girl he must learn to swim!

The entire festival runs through Sunday, August 14.

This year RIIFF, New England's largest film festival, has featured 221 films from across the United States and over 61 countries in a truly statewide celebration of film. There will be 80 World and US Premieres, setting a new RIIFF record. Each year the Festival attracts more than 20,000 filmmakers, audience members, celebrities and members of the industry. In Providence screenings will be held throughout the week at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center, the Cable Car Cinema and Providence Chamber of Commerce Theatre. In other parts of the state films will be shown at venues in Newport, Westerly, Kingston and Cranston. RIIFF is the only festival in the US that can boast of being truly statewide.

RIIFF Honorary Co-chairs are Governor Donald Carcieri, Providence Mayor David M. Cicilline and US Senator Jack Reed.