The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to Providence, Rhode Island on Oscar Night®. Residents of the capital city can experience the thrills and surprises of the 85th Academy Awards® on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Oscar® Experience: Providence party benefiting Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).

This year the Ocean State has several direct links to the celebrated event: "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), will host the 2013 Oscars® ceremony in Hollywood; "Moonrise Kingdom," which was shot entirely in Rhode Island has a nomination for Best Original Screenplay; Jennifer Lee from North Providence is the co-writer for "Wreck-It-Ralph," up for Best Animated Feature; and, three of the short films that premiered at the RIIFF have been honored this year with nominations.

The Oscar® Experience: Providence event is one of 46 parties officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night®. The Honorary Chairs for the event are Steven Feinberg, Executive Director/RI Film & Television Office and Michael Drywa, Esq. RIIFF Advisory Board President. Hosts for the evening are Doreen Scanlon and Mark Curtis of ABC 6.

Benefiting Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival, Providence's Oscar® Experience celebration will be held at The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale online at www.RIFilmFest.org or by calling 401.861.4445.

The Oscar® Experience: Providence audience will watch the Academy Awards telecast live on large screens courtesy of WLNE the Providence affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Academy Awards presentation. This is the 20th year that the Academy and ABC have cooperated with local charities to support official Oscar® Experience: Benefits viewing parties throughout the country. This year marks the fourth year that the Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival party has been sanctioned by the Academy.

"Oscar Sunday is an event meant to be a shared with others. This network of fundraising parties across the nation is just that: a shared experience. These gatherings also represent the year-round philanthropic work the Academy does," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. "This February we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the movies with fans nationwide while supporting charities around the country."

Oscar® Experience: Benefits parties last year raised more than $3.1 million in 49 cities. All money raised stays in the local community.

Oscar® Experience: Providence guests may feel like stars themselves from a red carpet entrance photographed by paparazzi, interviews by reporters from ABC6, a welcoming reception celebrating this year's Producer Circle Awards, amazing hors d'oeuvres and beverages, live music, silent auction, a gourmet dinner, unforgettable desserts and of course a screening of the 85th Annual Academy Awards. The Academy will provide party guests in Providence the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar® presentation at the DolbyTM Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood.

"Oscar Night generates excitement all over the world," said Steven Feinberg, Honorary Chair. "With the Academy's help, our guests will feel like they are on the A-list. We had an incredibly enthusiastic turnout last year and hope that even more Rhode Islanders will join us in celebrating the Oscars and our own Rhode Island International Film Festival this year."

The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) has secured its place in the global community as the portal for the best in international independent cinema, earning the respect of domestic and foreign filmmakers, filmgoers and trend watchers. This confluence of art and commerce brought together world-class celebrities, award-winning filmmakers, new talent and audience members in record numbers last year. Ranked as one of the top-12 festivals in the United States, RIIFF is one of 75 festivals worldwide that is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards through its partnership with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

For more information about the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, running Aug. 6-11, 2013 at The Vets (formerly Veterans Memorial Auditorium), please visit www.RIFilmFest.org or call 401.861.4445.