The Southeast New England (SENE) Film, Music & Arts Festival returns to Rhode Island April 22-27, 2014. The sixth annual SENE Festival and will showcase 100 films, musical performances, an art exhibit and a stand-up comedy program. 

This year SENE will present its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Andre Gregory, best known for his work in NY theater and in the films ‘My Dinner with Andre’ and ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’.  Andre Gregory and his wife Cindy Kleine will be in attendance for the screening of her documentary ‘Andre Gregory: Before and After Dinner’, which explores the life and work of the groundbreaking director, actor and artist. The film screens on Saturday, April 26th at 2:30 pm at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. 

Also highlighted this year is the New England premiere of ‘Raising Matty Christian’ by Rhode Island director Christian de Rezendes.  This inspirational documentary profiles the life of Matthew Christian from the town of Canton, Massachusetts who was born without full limbs and a tongue.  The film screens Saturday, Aprils 26 at 5:00 pm at the Columbus Theatre.

The majority of SENE’s film screenings take place at the Columbus Theatre in Providence on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.  This year’s American Showcase Features include the New England premiere of the award winning film ‘The One Who Loves You‘ and  the film ‘Coherence’, which movies.com calls “one of the best science fiction films in years”.   Other features include the horror film ‘House of Dust’ and the premiere of the locally produced film ‘Wander My Friends’.  SENE will screen eleven short film programs featuring animated, comedy, drama, documentary, LGBT and international short films.   

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On Sunday, April 27 SENE will showcase Rhode Island and other New England filmmakers at the Cable Car Cinema. These include 2 short film programs and the documentary ‘The Bridgewater Triangle’.

This year’s SENE Music Event takes place at the Brooklyn Coffee Tea House in Providence on Wednesday, April 23th and features their popular Music Video Contest along with live performances by NYC musicians Jefferson Thomas and Matthew Foster-Moore.

The Warwick Museum of Art will host the Festival’s Limelight Party on Thursday, April 24th.  SENE will honor three individuals in the film and arts communities with their annual SENE Limelight Awards. An exhibit by members of the Art League Rhode Island will be on display during the event. Complimentary wine, Narragansett Beer, hors d’oeuvres by Not Your Average Joe’s (Warwick) and dessert will be provided.  Admission is $20 ($15 advance).

The festival will also introduce Comedy SENE, their first live stand-up comedy program, on Saturday, April 26 at 9:15 pm at the Columbus Theatre.

Tickets to most films screenings and events are $10. This year SENE is offering an all-access pass to all festival events for $40 and a weekend film pass for only $25. Visit www.senefest.com for complete film and event details.