The Red Carpet Experience: Providence is a production of the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival.

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. guests experienced the thrills, surprises and excitement of the 88th Academy Awards® live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, at Rhode Island's annual celebratory party held at the The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence.

Our Black Tie (optional) evening in 2016 was chaired by Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film and Television Office with RIIFF Advisory Board President, Michael Drywa, Esq. This year's hosts were Steve Cascione and Melissa Randall of WLNE, ABC6, the event's media sponsor. They once again provided live coverage for our Red Carpet entrance to the event. Catered dinner provided by Decadent Catering. Stage and Set Design by Quality Rental. Drinks provided by Narragansett Beer. Desserts by Carina e Dolce Specialty Cakes & Cookies, Sin Bakery, Buckleberry Foods and Seven Stars Bakery.

Music by Kevin Turco.

The Sam Spiegel Independent Producer Award:

• Chad A. Verdi, Producer and President, Verdi Productions (Sam Spiegel Independent Producer Award);

The 2016 Producer’s Circle Honorees:

• Trudy Coxe, CEO, Newport Mansions, The Preservation Society of Newport County;
• Richard Marr-Griffin, prolific Rhode Island auteur-filmmaker;
• Mauro Colangelo, film and television music composer; and,
• Erika Hampson, feature film Producer, “Infinity Polar Bear”, “Measure of a Man” and “The Discovery”.

Special thanks to Cox Business for supplying the HD signal for the presentation of the Academy Awards®.