The Renaissance City Festival's new Executive Director is Anka Theroux. Here she is flanked with festival volunteers Kamel Ekinci and Joseph Chin, both are Brown University students and both volunteered with Anka at the Istanbul Film Festival.

Anka has only been on the job a few short weeks coming on after the festival was rescheduled from earlier this year to its October date. Overall all she will have 11 weeks to do what many accomplish over several months, even a year. But, according to Paul Campbell, "Anka is up to the task and brings a great deal of experience to the Providence Film Commission and this effort." Actually, Anka considers this to be an opportunity tailored made for her and her expertise, which is multi-faceted and international in scope. She has lived in Paris and spent four weeks in Istanbul for its International Film Festival as a writer and a judge. And through the New School, worked with the New York Film Festival.

Anka promises to produce a dynamic and exciting program! "We have been fortunate to acquire a diverse selection of critically acclaimed features and shorts," Theroux told Imagine. The fest will present premieres of several fine features including Anna Devere’s Smith’s TWILIGHT LOS ANGELES, Morgan Freeman’s UNDER SUSPICION, and Bette Gordon’s LUMINOUS MOTION.

Waterplace in Providence Photo by Richard Benjamin

In addition to the Opening Night Gala, other festival events include a special evening devoted to "Women in Film" with a celebrity panel of renowned women in the arts. Audience participation will be encouraged for this presentation. Awards night, October 26th, will conclude the festival with a final judging panel composed of a respected filmmakers, producers, and writers. Anka also told Imagine, "The festival will be a serious forum for filmmakers, screenwriters and film students, but it will also be lots of fun. Our goal is to entertain as well as educate, and we have a few surprises in store for our audiences."

James Woods just may be one of those surprises as he will most likely be in Rhode Island helping to get his brother Michael elected. Michael Woods is running for Mayor of Warwick, the city where James and Michael grew up. And, don’t ask Imagine why, but we suspect Anthony Quinn will be a big surprise opening night.

At a press conference earlier this year in February, Providence Mayor Cianci said. "This is truly a Renaissance Festival for a Renaissance City. The festival’s name, logo and Web site reflect the nature of the Festival, which is a signal event among international film festivals. As a true renaissance city, recognized more and more across the nation as a premiere destination city, it is highly appropriate that our renowned annual film festival be known far and wide as the Renaissance City Film Festival/Providence," concluded the Mayor. Anka Theroux is making every effort to boost the Mayor’s visions for his city. For more information on the festival visit www.rcff.com.

Providence Photo by Richard Benjamin

Providence is easy to find and has good transportation access. From Points South (New York City, Southern Connecticut and South County) - Take 95 North to Exit 16 to Route 10 North. Continue North to the Dean Street Exit. Once on the exit, stay to the left and at the light cross over Dean Street. Then take your first right onto West Exchange Street to the RI Convention Center Garage.

From Points North (Eastern Massachusetts including Boston & Vicinity) - Take 95 South to the Civic Center Interchange, Exit 22, Downtown Providence. Stay to the left on the ramp, at the end go right. At the light go right to the RI Convention Center Garage. For more information about transportation, directions, and accommodations visit www.providenceri.com.