Had a great time today chatting with husband and wife team: writer/director Ben Ratner and co-lead actor/associate producer Jennifer Spence about their latest award-winning feature film, Down River. If you missed today's show, you can catch our conversation here.
BEN RATNER’S MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING FEATURE FILM “DOWN RIVER” TO SCREEN AT THE 2014 NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL
Vancouver, Canada/Newport Beach, California – April, 2014: The Little Film Company, in association with Gossamer Creative and Haven Films, are pleased to announce that Ben Ratner’s feature film Down River will be screening at the 2014 Newport Beach Film Festival in California on April 27th and 29th, 2014.
Down River recently had a successful theatrical run in Toronto and Vancouver and received rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike. It made the list of Top 5 Canadian Films at the Canadian Box Office despite playing in only 2 theatres across the country.
Down River was also named Best BC Film at the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards and won the Audience Award for Most Popular Canadian Film as well as Honorable Mention for the BC Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival. Additionally, lead actor Helen Shaver was nominated for Outstanding Performance – Female at the ACTRA Awards for her role as “Pearl” and actor/singer/songwriter Colleen Rennison was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award (Canada's equivalent of the Oscars) for Achievement in Music – Original Song for her song “Molly” which she performs in the film.
Down River had its World Premiere at the Cinefest Sudbury Film Festival, screened at the Calgary International Film Festival and was the Gala Film for the Spotlight on BC screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Down River also screened at the European Film Market in Berlin as well as at the Victoria Film Festival and had its US premiere at the Cinequest San Jose International Film Festival in March.
Husband and wife team: writer/director Ben Ratner and co-lead actor/associate producer Jennifer Spence will be present for a Q & A following the 5 pm screening of Down River on April 27th at the Triangle Theatre at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Down River is written and directed by multiple award-winning writer/director Ben Ratner (Moving Malcolm) and produced by James Brown. Executive Producer is Jack Ong.
Down River is the emotionally stirring story of three young women teetering on the edge between creative breakthroughs and personal breakdowns, and their connection with the older woman they rely on for guidance, support and inspiration.
Inspired by Ben Ratner's long-time comradeship with actress Babz Chula who passed away in 2010, Down River is a film about mentorship, friendship, living life to the fullest, and ultimately letting go.
Down River stars three Gemini award-winning actors Helen Shaver, Gabrielle Miller and Colleen Rennison as well as Ratner’s real-life wife, Leo award-nominated actor Jennifer Spence. Other actors joining this first-rate cast include Jay Brazeau, Ali Liebert, Brian Markinson and Teach Grant.
Director of Photography is Larry Lynn. Edited by Rob Wenzek. The soundtrack includes original songs by Kevin House, Colleen Rennison and The Boom Booms.
BEN RATNER is an award-winning actor, writer and director. His directorial debut, Moving Malcolm, received a Best First Feature honor at the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival and played at festivals all over the world, from Vancouver to Kolkata, India. Down River marks his second time as a writer/director.
GOSSAMER CREATIVE INC. AND HAVEN FILMS produced Down River. The film was made in part with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada and additional financing was provided by the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) and Film Incentive BC (FIBC).
HAVEN FILMS is a Vancouver-based production company, owned and operated by writer/director/actor Ben Ratner. Haven Films previously produced the feature comedy Moving Malcolm, which Ratner wrote, directed and starred in and which won Best First Feature at the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival.
GOSSAMER CREATIVE is a Vancouver-based film production company with ties to Gossamer Threads, a leading internet technology firm with deep roots in data storage and online distribution founded in 1996. Down River is Gossamer Creative's first feature film credit and the company has several other projects in development.
THE LITTLE FILM COMPANY is a worldwide film sales and marketing company that also theatrically distributes, finances and executive produces independent motion pictures and consults for diverse media companies.
Official Websites & Social Media Links:
Down River Website: www.downrivermovie.com
Down River on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DownRiverMovie
Down River Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DownRiverMovie
Ben Ratner Website: www.benratner.com
Colleen Rennison’s Band No Sinner Website: www.nosinner.com
The Little Film Company Website: www.thelittlefilmcompany.com
The Little Film Company Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Little-Film-Company/77023658332
For more information, please contact Robbie Little:
Robbie Little | info@thelittlefilmcompany.com | 818-762-6999
