By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent
For a small city, Providence does things big, including New England’s largest public film festival, running Aug. 9-14. The 15th annual “Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival,” is one of the few festivals worldwide that is a qualifier for the Academy Awards. Signature events this year include premiere screenings of more than 175 films, gala events, industry seminars, educational programs, and award ceremonies. One of the more interesting events this year is “Family Band: The Cowsills Story” on Aug. 10, a feature-length documentary chronicling the life of the Cowsills — a family band from Newport, R.I. — which rose to international fame in the 1960s, and inspired the hit TV show, “The Partridge Family.” After the screening, the Cowsills will give a reunion concert. Another is ScriptBiz.11 on Aug. 10, a one-day workshop outlining how to become a screenwriter. Attendees can also hit a number of premieres, including the US debut of three short films by Stephen Fry called “Capturing Santa,” “Bunce,” and “Car Park Babylon,” and the North American first peek at a short film by Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam called “The Wholly Family.” If you want to stick around for a spell, the Renaissance Providence Hotel is offering a weekend package Aug. 12-14 for $450, which includes the stay and festival passes for two, which include select movie screenings and access to the closing night filmmaker celebration.
