LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Rehoboth Film Festival Begins to Take Shape |
by Barry Becker |
The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is off to a high-caliber start with an international slate of films booked for the festival inauguration, November 12-15. With more than 110 films already received for previewing, and 3 more weeks to go before the deadline for film submission, festival organizers have announced the first round of nearly a dozen films that will be premiering at the Rehoboth Mall Cinemas this fall. Among the films is the Oscar and Golden Globe nominated foreign film The Thief, a film that swept the Russian film awards last year. Sundance winner Who the Hell is Juliette? has also been booked, a great coup for the festival as there are only 2 prints of this Mexican film available in the U.S. "We have spanned the globe for the absolutely best films, and are thrilled to include award-winners from Russia, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, and more," said Festival Producer Barry Becker. "By the time we complete our programming, I expect to have films from nearly 16 countries in the festival." Also on tap is the eccentrically wonderful Topless Women Talk About Their Lives, a film that won more awards in New Zealand than the Titanic won Oscars. From Norway comes the Cannes-winning Junk Mail, and from France the warm and comical Self Made Hero. "For us to be screening such high quality and respected films in our first year is an indication of the high standards we are setting for this festival," said Becker. "In the weeks ahead, we will be rapidly booking the rest of the films, some of which will be regional or East Coast premieres. Stay tuned!" Films chosen so far include some that have been winning rave reviews at other festivals, while others have had limited releases in the top 10 or 25 markets, but not in Delaware. "Our programming philosophy is to fill the festival with Delaware premieres and with films that most people would never otherwise get a chance to see," said Becker. And while the first round of films selected is of feature length, Film Society President Rob Rector is quick to point out that features are not the only focus of the festival. "Were also booking some tremendous shorts, including what will surely be one of the hits of the festival, Every Night and Twice on Sundays. This is a very moving and hysterical documentary on the life of the woman who originally filmed the Help, Ive fallen and I cant get up! commercial. The director will be in town for the screening, and were all very thrilled its part of our program." "Well have something for everyone," said Rector, "so make sure to clear your calendar and get ready for a fabulous cinematic joy ride." You can help select some of the films that will be playing in the festival, too, by heading to Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Avenue, on Monday nights through September 21 beginning at 7:00 p.m. There, film entries will be shown and you get to play the judge! The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is set for November 12-15, and will feature more than 80 film and video programs at all six screens of the Rehoboth Mall. A limited number of festival passes will be sold for $20, which will allow admittance to all films on a first-come, first-served basis. To get more information on them, as well as all the festival news including the Opening and Closing Parties, get on the festival mailing list today by sending your name to the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, P.O. Box 1132, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 12, August 28, 1998. |