Providence, RI (October 28, 2026) – On Friday, November 20th Rhode Island filmmaker Kirk Benttinen will premiere The Pizza Principal, a feature-length documentary, along with three short films, in the first public showcase of his new project, RI Docs. This premiere transforms the traditional film screening into a community event. Tickets are now available for a vibrant local festival featuring local food and drink specials, sidewalk performances, a post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers and movie participants, special appearances, a secret door prize for attendees, a VIP afterparty and, of course, pizza!
"RI Docs is a celebration of my community,” said director Kirk Benttinen. "I didn’t want to just play these films in the dark and send people home. I wanted to show that Rhode Islanders are not only worthy of having their stories told but use these stories to bring us back into community.”
Tickets can be purchased directly from Uptown Theater and include all events listed below, except for the afterparty, which is ticketed separately.
WHEN: Friday, November 20, 2026, 5:00 - 11:30 p.m.
5:00 - 7 p.m. Participating neighborhood restaurants and bars will offer specials for ticket holders
7 - 8 p.m. Uptown Theater doors open with roving performers, Rhode Island pizza trivia, pizza strip hors d'oeuvres and more.
8 - 9:45 p.m. Welcome from Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism Director Joe Wilson, Jr. followed by world premiere of three RI Docs shorts and The Pizza Principal
9:45 - 10:15 p.m. Q&A with director Kirk Benttinen and feature participants, prize drawing, special live performance
10:15 - 11:55 p.m. Ticketed afterparty
WHERE: Uptown Theater, 270 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903
WHAT: The Pizza Principal feature-length documentary
Meet Tim Chace, a pizza-obsessed Assistant Principal who rekindles his dreams after becoming an empty-nester. After the unexpected popularity of his local pizza reviews throws him into the spotlight, he sets out to review 40 Rhode Island pizzerias in 30 days and fulfill his dream of becoming a professional writer. We follow Tim as his personal story unfolds into a universal story about confronting our fears and in doing so, redefining what matters.
Tickets for the evening can be purchased at Uptown Theater at: www.uptownpvd.com/events/the-pizza-principal
Afterparty tickets can be purchased at:
https://tinyurl.com/TPPafter
More Than a Night at the Movies: The Pizza Principal World Premiere Community Event
