February 3, 2013
Founded in 1998, the RiverRun International Film Festival screens over 120 films in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, every year and has grown to be one of the most important film festivals in the southeast. At last year’s event, more than 140 films representing 25 countries were shown and over 15,500 tickets were issued. This year’s event will be held from April 12th through the 21st, and marks the festival’s fifteenth year.
The screenings run the gamut, “ranging from gritty independents to Hollywood blockbusters.” Past notables include (500) Days of Summer, Food Inc., Three Monkeys, Murderball, The Notebook, and A Mighty Wind.
RiverRun is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Our mission is to foster a greater appreciation of cinema and a deeper understanding of the many people, cultures and perspectives of our world through regular interaction with great films and filmmakers.
Audience and Jury awards are given each year for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature. Master of Cinema awards have been presented to luminaries, including Andie MacDowell, Peter Bogdanovich, Pam Grier, and Ned Beatty. RiverRun’s Eco-Initiative is a shining example of how to produce a sustainable event. Eco efforts include recycling for plastic bottles, glass, and paper waste, along with event collateral printed on recycled paper with soy inks. Their approach also encourages re-usable water bottles and genuine glassware (in lieu of disposables) whenever possible.