Ridgefield Independent Film Festival returns May 15th to 18th

May 4, 2025 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

Fans of creative independent film should head to Ridgefield Connecticut for the annual Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF). The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is back for its 10^th year.. The festival is an exciting venue filled with independent short film, narrative films and documentaries. There is something for everyone. This is one of our favorite events of the year and if you love film, this is a great way to experience cinema you just do not see on your streaming service.

There will be numerous (over 30) films in the festival so we encourage you to check the RIFF website for more details and ticket information. We encourage you to buy tickets in advance.

The festival will kick off on May 15^th with Rebel With a Clause which will also include a filmmaker Q and A as well as a reception and book signing. Friday the festival will get into full swing with the Psych Night program featuring “Thanks for the Room” at 4pm and then a slate of 5 short films at 7pm.

Saturday May 17^th will feature a full slate of movies. “Across the Lens” is a series of narrative short films at noon on Saturday. There will be additional short films series “Black Flag Shorts 1 and 2” that will be screened at 2pm and 4:30pm. Short films really allow independent film makers a forum to present their craft to a wider audience.

Saturday will continue with a documentary feature, “The Trouble with Mr.Doodle” and wrap up with the Saturday night feature film “Under the Volcano” at 7pm.

Sunday May 18^th the festival will wind down with the RIFF 10^th Anniversary Awards ceremony and brunch at Keeler Tavern.

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival was founded in 2015 by local playwright and filmmaker, Joanne Hudson and presented its first iteration in May of 2016 at ten venues throughout Ridgefield, CT; screening 72 films from 26 countries. Now in its 10th year this intimate and highly curated festival continues with the same independent spirit in which it began: in the hopes of making the world a more compassionate place through the film.f

As we have done for years, I On The Valley is proud to promote the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival. It is a local treasure we encourage local residents to take advantage of this cultural resource. See you at the movies.

For tickets and information https://www.riffct.org/

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Ridgefield Independent Film Festival returns May 16th-19th 2024

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is back for its 9^th year. This year’s edition of RIDGEFIELD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL shines the spotlight on several filmmakers from the surrounding area. All films this year will be at the Prospector Theater in downtown Ridgefield. The festival is an exciting venue filled with independent short film, narrative films and documentaries. There is something for everyone. This is one of our favorite events of the year and if you love film, this is a great way to experience cinema you just do not see on your streaming service.

There will be 39 films in the festival so we encourage you to check the RIFF website for more details and ticket information.

The first film features Easton, CT filmmaker, Karen Thorsen, whose award-winning documentary, JAMES BALDWIN:THE PRICE OF THE TICKET opens the festival on May 16th at The Prospector Theater. Using rarely-seen archival footage, the film melds intimate interviews with the author and civil rights luminary, along with interviews with Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and Frances Foster, public speeches and glimpses of Baldwin. There will be a reception at 7pm, catered by GALLO Ristorante of Ridgefield in the Star Bar of the Prospector Theater, followed by the 8pm screening and a Q&A with the filmmaker, moderated by RIFF Board Member, Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell.

Darien, CT filmmaker Eden Wright is 5th generation in the film business and currently co-stars in “City on a Hill” (Showtime) produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. She brings her short film CUTTER to RIFF’s PSYCH NIGHT! On Friday, May 17th at 9pm. When her newest client sends them both out to sea, a desperate maritime hairdresser learns an important lesson about internet strangers; the hard way. Its just one of 6 short films in Psych Night!

HOW TO PAINT A PEACE SIGN by filmmaker Rick Gomez is part of the Heroic Docs series . It takes an intimate look at grief and healing as Redding, CT artist Dave Daignault teaches viewers a technique to paint prominent peace symbols and, in the process, gives his audience the tools necessary to cope. Rick says of the film, “I have been friends with Dave Daignault for over 30 years. When his wife’s life ended by suicide in 2020, and he decided to move from the barn where they raised their children and painted enormous peace signs for the entire neighborhood to experience, I knew I had to document that departure. What we created was an ode to the power of art and hope and a simple philosophical strategy to cope with grief.” The film is part of the HEROIC DOCS 2, Saturday, May 18th 5pm Theater 2.

Norwalk filmmaker, Alix Speyer Bacher gives us a look inside the world of roller derby with her very entertaining film, DON’T BE DAINTY… IT’S DERBY! Played by women young and old, the emerging sport of roller derby has confident, powerful, female identifying athletes with bodies of every size and shape, at its core. The skaters explain how liberating it is to experience the aggressive power that has long been traditionally reserved for male athletes. Alix is an award winning independent filmmaker. emerge as HEROIC DOCS 2, Saturday, May 18th 5pm Theater 2.

All films will screen at The Prospector Theater – 25 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT May 16-18.

“I am thrilled to bring so many local filmmakers to screen their films at the beautiful Prospector Theater,” states festival founder/director, Joanne Hudson. “Our goal is to create an ecosystem for independent filmmakers in Connecticut.”

Many of these filmmakers will also take part in the MAKE YOUR MOVIE panel on May 17th 2pm at the Lounsbury House. This panel moderated by filmmaker, Daniel Schechter (LIFE OF CRIME, AFTER CLASS, SUPPORTING CHARACTERS) will help to assuage your fears about taking the leap into filmmaking.

Please visit RIFF’s website https://www.riffct.org for more information and tickets.

Background:

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival was founded in 2015 by local playwright and filmmaker, Joanne Hudson and presented its first iteration in May of 2016 at ten venues throughout Ridgefield, CT; screening 72 films from 26 countries. Now in its 9th year this intimate and highly curated festival continues with the same independent spirit in which it began: in the hopes of making the world a more compassionate place through the sharing of stories through cinema”

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Ridgefield Independent Film Festival returns May 18th with 46 films, 4 parties in 4 days!

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF) is back on May 18^th to 21^st 2023. This will be an exciting year for the festival as it will host 46 films and 4 parties over 4 days. The festival will be 100% live with no virtual events. Festival films will be screened at Keeler Tavern, Ridgefield Theater Barn, Prospector Theater, Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield Playhouse. This is an amazing event right in our backyard with films that you just will not see anywhere else.

Thursday May 18^th will be a day full of screenings. Student films, Made in Connecticut documentary, and Iranian Cinema Shorts are just some of the events. Thursday evening will feature the Opening Night Reception, and screening of “A Little White Lie”. The movie is based on the book “Shriver” and the author, Chris Belden will be in attendance for a Q & A session following the screening

Friday May 19^th the festival will be in full swing with Essential Documentaries, an International feature, Iranian Cinema Feature, and Black Flag Shorts. On Friday night the festival will present the Featured Rom-Com “Hard Shell, Soft Shell”. The screening will include a signature cocktail, dessert reception and a Q&A with the filmmakers. We always enjoy the Q& A sessions as it is a fantastic way to gain insight into the making and the meaning of the film.

Saturday May 20^th will be a full day with events at both the Ridgefield Theater Barn and Keeler Tavern. The day will kick off with Breakfast and a Rom Com featuring “His Girl Friday”. It will be followed by a made in Connecticut documentary, a short film program and more. The Barn will host the Saturday Night Flick, “Daddy” with Hot Dogs from Chez Leonard and craft beer from Ridgefield’s own Nod Hill Brewery. The night at the barn will wrap with Psych Night, a collection of short films.

Also on Saturday over at Keeler, there will be documentaries, short films and a featured documentary, “JessZilla”. That film will be followed by a Q& A.

Sunday will wrap up with brunch and the awards presentation to the filmmakers.

The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is a great way to experience independent film, and meet and talk with filmmakers. The festival is a real treasure and the perfect way to spend the weekend. So come out and support the art of filmmaking. You might just be watching the next Steven Spielberg.

See you at the movies!

For more information and tickets>>>>>>>

https://www.riffct.org

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Ridgefield Independent Film Festival continues this weekend with great independent films

October 9, 2021October 9, 2021 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is in full swing with more unique films and panel discussions on Saturday 10/9 and Sunday 10/10. This great local film festival kicked off Thursday evening with a screening of “ A Fine Line” by local film maker Joanna James. The subject of the documentary is the struggles of women in the culinary and restaurant world. With only 7% of head chefs in the US being women, it told the tale of several chefs and their struggles to succeed in a male dominated industry. Ms. James also included the story of her mother Val, who against impossible financial odds was able to flourish in the restaurant business. The movie was preceded by a reception at the Keeler Tavern garden in Ridgefield and featured foods from local restaurants. This kind of experience you just cannot get from a streaming service.

Friday night 10/8, we joined a full house to enjoy several short films highlighting the talents of indie filmmakers. The theme was “ Psych Night” and the seven short films that included sci-fi, horror, humor and the dramatic and moving “Return” which is an indie film from Mexico.

Saturday continues with more short films and the wraps up the evening with the narrative film, “How to Stop a Recurring Dream”. Sunday’s films will be both shown at the Ridgefield Library and feature 3 short films, and a narrative feature, “Authenticity”.

Independent film festivals are the platform that allow young creative film makers to display their creations. It also gives the movie audience a fresh array of films that cannot be experienced elsewhere. Tired of the same genre of movies that is in every theater? Then support your local artists and local film festivals. It will open a new world for you.

See you at the movies!

For tickets and info

https://www.riffct.org

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Ridgefield Independent Film Festival arrives with parties, great films, and panels October 18th-21st

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

riff_logo_bauhaus-with_type_black

The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is upon us with another great season. The festival begins Thursday October 18th and runs through Sunday October 21st in Ridgefield Ct. This very special festival of film will host parties, panel discussions, and film screenings in several locations around Ridgefield. The locations for the festival are the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Theater Barn, Keeler Tavern and the Ridgefield Library.

It looks to be an interesting slate of films at this years festival including documentaries, narrative films (both dramas and comedy), and short films. There is something for everyone.

We encourage you to check out the amazing list of films and events at the festival by checking out the schedule. See you at the movies !

Link here >> https://www.riffct.org

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival returns October 18th-21. A must attend event of indie films, documentaries, panel discussions, parties and more!

September 28, 2018July 31, 2019 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

riff_logo_bauhaus-with_type_black We are so fortunate to have a very special cinema event right here in our back yard. Coming October 18-21st 2017, the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival returns! The festival , that celebrates independent films from around the world that enlighten, entertain and inspire moviegoers through compelling visual storytelling. We are so excited to be covering this fantastic event.

RIFF has announced its Special Event Screenings Line-up. Keynote events featuring films followed by filmmaker Q&As taking place at various Ridgefield, CT locations throughout the festival’s run include: SAY HER NAME: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland, follows an investigation into what happened to activist Sandra Bland, who died in police custody after a routine traffic stop, directed by Oscar nominated,Connecticut based directors Kate Davis and David Heilbroner;

DANSEUR explores the world of bullying and prejudice towards male ballet dancers directed by Scott Gormley;

THIS IS HOME: A Refugee Story about four Syrian families struggling to find their way to America directed by Peabody Award-winner Alexandra Shiva

VERMONT FANCY about an aging rural farmer who’s struggling with the consequences of his choice to live a life alone directed by Kathleen Dougherty Huxley.

The Closing Night film PURPLE DREAMS, directed by Joanne Hock and produced by Robin Grey, documents the transformation of at-risk, inner city youth attending a magnet charter school in Charlotte, NC that provides arts education. The teenage subjects have the potential to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness and gangrelated violence, when they are given an opportunity to stage the musical The Color Purple. After thescreening, Tony Award-winner and activist James Naughton hosts a talk with Robin Grey.

Scene from the documentary “Vermont Fancy”

Tickets to the festival are on sale now at http://www.riffct.org. The 2018 Ridgefield Independent Film Festival runs October 18-21, 2018.

In addition to all these films there will be special parties to help celebrate the festival. Check the website for more details of parties hosted at Gallo’s, Aldrich Museum, The Ridgefield Playhouse and more. Please stay tuned for more details about this exciting film festival bringing social awareness and fine independent film you will not see anywhere else. We will be rolling out more information about the festival as the date draws near.