— I AM A TOWN and SAVE YOURSELVES! selected as Opening Night Films at the Wellfleet Drive-In —
— Actress Mya Taylor to receive Next Wave Award —
June 29, 2020 (Provincetown, MA) – The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) announced today “Provincetown Reimagined,” presented by WarnerMedia, a modified festival with drive-in and virtual screenings running July 16-19, 2020. The Festival will kick off with two nights of screenings at the Wellfleet Drive-In including Mischa Richter’s documentary, I AM A TOWN, shot entirely in Provincetown; the 2020 Sundance hit, SAVE YOURSELVES!; and a special night hosted by John Waters with film titles announced soon.
Additionally, Independent Spirit Award winning actress Mya Taylor (TANGERINE) will be honored with the Festival’s Next Wave Award in a special conversation with her latest feature, STAGE MOTHER, included in the festival lineup. The Next Wave Award recognizes artists who have exciting and distinctive voices, take artistic risks, and have a passionate commitment to independent film. Past honorees include Aubrey Plaza, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Jillian Bell.
The Festival will feature virtual screenings with selections curated to speak to this moment in time, as well as special conversations. The Opening Night screenings will take place at the Wellfleet Drive-In following health and safety protocols implemented by state and local authorities. The full festival lineup will be released on July 7.
“Given the challenges that face all film festivals this year, we’re thrilled to present a film festival in 2020,” said PIFF Artistic Director Lisa Viola. “Utilizing our festival’s unique assets of a drive-in theater, the incomparable John Waters, strong filmmaker and industry support, and this special community, we’ll mount a special event with programing that both entertains and brings us together through themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Both opening night selections come to Provincetown after impressive debuts that were then interrupted by the Covid-19 crisis. Mischa Richter’s I AM A TOWN had its world premiere at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on February 15, 2020. Alex H. Fischer and Eleanor Wilson’s SAVE YOURSELVES! had its world premiere in Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
“Since its inception, PIFF has been an advocate for diverse art and artists,” said PIFF Director of Programming Andrew Peterson. “Mya Taylor’s grounded and soulful performance in TANGERINE earned her the recognition of being the first transgender performer to win a major film award. Her work in STAGE MOTHER further showcases her impressive skills. She is a trailblazer with exceptional talent, and we are absolutely thrilled to be honoring her with the Next Wave Award.”
“The name ‘Provincetown Reimagined,’ speaks to both the festival and our town. As we move safely toward coming together again, we have all had to be creative as we recreate our worlds and our connections,” said Provincetown Film Society Board President Anthony Lawson. “It was important to everyone – our audience, sponsors, and, most importantly, our community – to present a festival this year. It truly takes a village – and in typical Provincetown fashion, expect a special event like no other.”
OPENING NIGHT @ THE WELLFLEET DRIVE-IN
I Am a Town – directed by Mischa Richter
Artist Mischa Richter (whose photograph of Amy Winehouse graced the cover of her album Back to Black before making its way into London’s National Portrait Gallery) debuts his first documentary feature, a poetic meditation on his native Provincetown, Massachusetts—the free-spirited community his artist family has called home for nearly 100 years—through conversations with its resilient and at times eccentric inhabitants, from pilgrims and fishermen to drag queens and spirit guides.
Save Yourselves! – directed by Alex H. Fischer & Eleanor Wilson
Jack (John Reynolds) and Su (Sunita Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who, like many of their friends, find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. Fearing their mindless scrolling may impact their connection with each other, they seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods, vowing to unplug from the outside world for a week. Sheltered from texts and push notifications, they are blissfully unaware that the planet is under attack. As strange events unfold, the couple must figure out a way back to civilization—or what’s left of it.
Please visit www.ptownfilmfest.org for lineup announcements and information on purchasing tickets and passes.
About The Provincetown Film Society
The Provincetown Film Society (PFS) is an advocate for diverse representation in film, providing year-round programming and platforms that allow voices of all kinds to be heard via film. Locally, PFS’ work positively impacts the cultural and economic vitality of Provincetown. Nationally, its work helps shape industry discussions around parity in film. Through PFS’ work, we have an ability to better understand and appreciate human struggles and triumphs, showcasing our similarities and differences in today’s diverse culture.
About WarnerMedia
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC Entertainment, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others, as well as Xandr’s suite of advanced advertising solutions designed to help to improve advertising for brands, publishers, and consumers.
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