Maia Farish from Roger Williams University To Be Honored At This Year's Red Carpet Experience: Providence Party

To Receive Producer's Circle Award for Arts Advocacy  

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (February 24, 2014) -The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to Providence, Rhode Island on Oscar� Night. Area residents can experience the thrills and surprises of the 86th Academy Awards� live on screen, Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Red Carpet Experience: Providence party benefiting the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). This year, Maia Farish, from Roger Williams University in Bristol, will be one of four women honored with a Flickers' Producer's Circle Award.

The Producer's Circle Award is presented annually to members of the community who have actively worked to support and promote the mission of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. These Friends of the Festival have had a significant impact on the growth, evolution and quality of what has become an international acclaimed celebration of the cinematic arts.

Maia Farish has been a steadfast advocate for the arts on the campus of Roger Williams University where she has been a community relations ambassador. Her work at RWU complements her long history of community involvement including but limited to Board memberships with The Newport Restoration Foundation, Preserve Rhode Island, Grow Smart Rhode Island and the Old Slater Mill Association; to serving as Executive Director of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach; and director of community relations at Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

ABOUT THE RED CARPET EXPERIENCE: PROVIDENCE

For the past five years, Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival has produced the Red Carpet Experience: Providence event as a celebration of Oscar� Night and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Honorary Chairs are Steven Feinberg, Executive Director/RI Film & Television Office and Michael Drywa, Esq., RIIFF Advisory Board President. Hosts for the evening are Doreen Scanlon and Mark Curtis of ABC 6.

This year's theme is Rhode Island Women in Film and the Arts with a special salute to Rhode Island's Jennifer Lee, the writer/co-director of "Frozen," nominated for best animated film, and Daniel Sousa, a professor at Rhode Island School of Design, and Dan Golden, a RISD grad, who earned a nomination for "Feral" in the best animated short category.

The Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival, now in its 18th year, has a long-term relationship with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with the distinction of being New England's only Oscar� qualifying Festival. In the course of its history, 33 films that premiered at RIIFF have gone on to receive Academy nominations. This year, is no exception with two titles Festival fans discovered: "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life," Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed (Documentary Short); and "The Voorman Problem," Mark Gill, director, and Baldwin Li, producer, Honlodge Productions, (Narrative Short).

At the Red Carpet Experience: Providence guests may feel like stars themselves from a red carpet entrance photographed by paparazzi, interviews by reporters from ABC6, a welcoming reception celebrating this year's Producer Circle and Dream Maker Awards, amazing hors d'oeuvres and beverages, live music, silent auction, a gourmet dinner, unforgettable desserts and of course a screening of the 86th Annual Academy Awards. This year's gourmet dinner is provided by Decadent Catering and Just Ellen's Catering & Event Planning. Drinks are provided by Newport Storm, Thomas Tew Rum and Woodchuck Hard Cider. Gala and Evening Design created and sponsored by Quality Rental. Music is by harpist, Shelley Otis.

Producer's Circle & Dream Maker Honorees:

* Kristen Adamo, Vice President of Marketing, Providence/Warwick CVB

* Winifred E. Brownell, Dean, Arts and Sciences, University of Rhode Island

* Letitia Carter, VMA Foundation
* Elizabeth Delude-Dix, Flaherty Documentary Seminar

* Maia Farish, Arts Advocate, Roger Williams University

"Oscar� Night generates excitement all over the world," said Steven Feinberg, Honorary Chair. "Our guests will feel like they are on the A-list.  We had an incredibly enthusiastic turnout last year and hope that even more Rhode Islanders will join us in celebrating the Oscars and our own Rhode Island International Film Festival this year."

Benefiting Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival, Providence's Red Carpet Experience celebration will be held at The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale online at www.RIFilmFest.org or by calling 401.861.4445. The cost per ticket is $100. Table discounts are available.

ABOUT FLICKERS:

The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has secured its place in the global community as the portal for the best in international independent cinema, earning the respect of domestic and foreign filmmakers, filmgoers and trend watchers. This confluence of art and commerce brought together world-class celebrities, award-winning filmmakers, new talent and audience members in record numbers last year. Ranked as one of the top-12 festivals in the United States, RIIFF is one of 26 festivals worldwide that is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards in both short film and documentary short film through its partnership with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

For more information about the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, running Aug. 5-10, 2014 at The Vets (formerly Veterans Memorial Auditorium), please visit  www.RIFilmFest.org or call 401.861.4445.