2005 High Falls Film Festival Narrative Films

Media Contact:

Rosie Taravella

585-279-8307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

High Falls Film Festival moves to Spring;

Rochester International Film Festival’s ‘Movies on a Shoestring’ short film program

becomes part of High Falls’ week of festival activity

ROCHESTER, NY, June 20 — The High Falls Film Festival (HFFF), an annual international event that has become a leading cultural attraction in Rochester since its inception in 2001, has announced the merger of its six-day program with that of the Rochester International Film Festival (RIFF), the world's longest continuously running short film festival (since 1959). The new festival, dubbed “The Rochester/High Falls International Film Festival” will debut April 30 and run through May 5, 2008 at The Little and Dryden Theatres.

RIFF’s long-lived “Movies on a Shoestring” program will become the short film program of the High Falls Film Festival, replacing three blocks of short films in the current schedule with four blocks that are programmed by RIFF members and Ruth Cowing, HFFF’s Festival Director and Co-Programmer. To maintain the distinguished legacy of RIFF’s Shoestring program, the Short Film Program of the Rochester/High Falls International Film Festival will be referred to as “The Movies on a Shoestring Short Film Program.”

“We are very happy to combine our efforts with those of ‘Movies on a Shoestring,’” said John Richardson, Chairman of the High Falls Film Festival Board of Directors. “This is a group that has been together for 50 years, presenting the work of talented short film makers.” Added artistic director Catherine Wyler: “We are pleased to spotlight these film makers amidst our films and to provide them access to feature length filmmakers, actors, and other industry professionals who regularly attend our festival.”

"In 2008, we will present the 50th festival of first rate international short films," said MOAS President/RIFF Director Josephine M. Perini. With this merger, our short film festival will be enhanced with feature films and all that has made the High Falls Film Festival a success. We look forward to this new collaborative effort."

The High Falls Film Festival regularly boosts Rochester tourism, with local and international attendees spending an estimated $1 million at restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels in and around the downtown festival sites. “The new festival will be even bigger and better,” said Rosie Taravella, the festival’s new Executive Director. “The merger allows us to program during the spring months, which will draw even more out-of-town guests. It also means we can plan some outdoor activities that will make the festival more fun for families and our local community.”

Well-known celebrities are regularly featured at the High Falls Film Festival and have included Christine Lahti, Angela Bassett, Jane Alexander, Candice Bergen, Joan Allen and Sally Kellerman. Movies on a Shoestring’s rich history in Rochester, as well as the members’ extensive experience in programming the short film genre from a selection of narrative films, documentaries, and animations submitted by independent filmmakers from all parts of the world are unique and notable assets.

By combining these strengths, the merger of these two entities will provide the community of Rochester with a vibrant annual festival with an even greater variety of unique film offerings.

# # #