“Hollywood comes to Block Island”

News & Events

This is where you learn what’s new and what’s happening.

LATEST NEWS (Jan. 8, 2020): The Block Island Film Festival is thrilled to announce that it is a sponsoring partner of Kellie Madison’s Script2Screen film-making competition. Kellie is a very talented and innovative writer, director & producer, with a great filmmaker network in Hollywood. The winner of Kellie’s competition will be selected and invited to compete in the Block Island Film Festival. Submit at Film Freeway. Learn more about the competition at: www.Script2Screens.com.

PRESS RELEASE: The Block Island Film Festival and Barbados Independent Film Festival forge creative partnership

BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND – Two international film festivals have joined forces, forming a creative partnership designed to broaden their programming and operations.

After a meeting on Block Island, the Block Island Film Festival and the Barbados Independent Film Festival agreed to the formation of a partnership that will involve sharing programming and other resources to benefit their operations and creative endeavors, with the aim of expanding their global audiences. Both are island-based film festivals held on resort destinations with engaged, year-round residents who appreciate culture and the arts.

The film festivals attract hundreds of talented filmmakers and film lovers annually, hosting an assortment of programs in various, historical landmark venues.     

“We are thrilled about forging a partnership with the Barbados Independent Film Festival, which operates with similar sensibilities and dedication in showcasing, and promoting the work of talented global filmmakers,” said Cassius Shuman, Founder and Executive Director of the Block Island Film Festival. “Jennifer Smith and Sir Trevor Carmichael have created a successful, and well-respected operation. They are great stewards of the art of filmmaking, education and entertainment, demonstrating a track record for bringing unique talent to their venue. We believe this partnership will bolster the programming and infrastructure of both film festivals, creating an opportunity to reach a more expansive, and diverse global audience.”

“The opportunity for the Barbados Independent Film Festival to expand its reach and creative output through this association with the Block Island Film Festival is very exciting,” said BIFF Co-Founder and Co-Director Sir Trevor Carmichael. “There are many obvious and not so obvious connections between our Festivals and we look forward to broadening our respective horizons through this collaboration.”  

The Barbados Independent Film Festival will be held January 14 – 19 in 2020, while the Block Island Film Festival will be held June 15 – 20 of 2020.

Learn more about the formation of the partnership at: barbadosfilmfest.org. Read the press release and watch the video with Executive Director Jennifer Smith.

NEWS ARTICLES:

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL article (June 6, 2019)

SO RHODE ISLAND article (June 5, 2019)