Los Angeles-based filmmaker Garin Hovannisian took the Best of Fest award at the 2023 LA Shorts Film Festival for his film Nowhere, and punched his ticket for the Oscar race. Set in the city called Nowhere, shadows dream of a life without their human masters.
Nino Aldi’s role-reversal comedy Tribes, starring Internet celebrities Destorm Power (Punk’d), Adam Waheed (Pitch Please) and Daytime Emmy-winning producer/actor Jake Hunter (Class Act), from an award-winning screenplay by Andy Marlatt, will be presented online at the Oscar qualifying LA Shorts Fest.
The award-winning short film, The Gesture and the Word written and directed by filmmaker Helen Alexis Yonov, competes for Best Narrative Short at the prestigious Oscar® qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. If it wins, it becomes eligible for an Oscar® nomination. The screening is scheduled on October 6, 2020 on the Comedy Program 3. This is the short’s Los Angeles Premiere.
Sam Did It[/caption]
LA Shorts International Film Festival will showcase 333 films coming from 23 countries on July 25 through August 2, 2018. Opening day will be held downtown at LA LIVE Regal Cinemas. The following 8 days move to Leammle Noho 7.
This year LA Shorts presents the first annual NEW WAVE CHINESE FILMMAKERS on opening day July 25 consisting of three film programs by Chinese American filmmakers.
There are 44 curated film programs, some of the special theme programs include: British Shorts, Crime, Romance, Parts Unknown, Southeast Asia, Sci Fi Fantasy, , Music, Horror/Suspense, Directed by SuperWomen, Comedy, Family/Kids, Animation, Documentaries, Awards Encore Screening.
The Documentary programs includes shorts from powerhouse creators; NETFLIX, ESPN, NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE ATLANTIC.
The animation block contains shorts from BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, DREAMWORKS ANIMATION, THE CARTON NETWORK, LEVEL-5, SEGA OF AMERICA.
This year’s list of films include celebrities, Billy Bob Thornton, Katie Holmes, Jane Lynch, Alfred Molina, Michael Madsen, Rob Belushi, Cameron Douglas, Philip Baker Hall, M. Emmet Walsh, Bubba Sparxxx, Rhea Perlman, Robert Davi, Eric Roberts, Joan Collins, Lea Thompson and David Arquette.
Winners in four categories will automatically become eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS®). Over the course of 22 years, the Festival has presented 55 films that have gone on to receive Academy Award® nominations. Winners will be announced at a encore screening on Thursday, August 2 at Leammle Noho 7.
In addition to the award-winning short films, the festival welcomes industry professionals presenting master classes, workshops, panel discussions free to participating filmmakers.
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 4:00 PM
Actors Read Screenplay Finalist from LA Shorts Competition
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 5:00 PM
Workshop – Pitching Session with Carole Dean (CEO – From The Heart Productions) and Carol Joyce (film producer)
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 5:00 PM
Masterclass – From Shorts to Features: If I Can Do It – Anyone Can! How to Reach Your Goals by Pen Densham (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits)
MONDAY, JULY 30, 3:00 PM
Masterclass by Blizzard Entertainment Gurpreet Wahla (video game and animation producer)
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 4:00 PM
Interactive Discussion -Diversity in Film with Lionsgate’s CodeBlack Productions executive Christina Sibul
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 4:00 PM
Workshop – Breaking Into The Industry with film producer Tom Nunan and writer/actor Lisa Ebersole
This year LA Shorts presents SUMMER FILM AND ACTING CAMP FOR TEENS, JULY 30 – AUGUST 2, 2018 at The Art Institute of California – Hollywood.
At the Summer Film and Acting Camp, students will collaborate in different roles to create a story and execute the filming with guidance from industry professional instructors and mentors over the course of four days.
The 17th Annual Los Angeles International Short Film Festival (LA Shorts Fest) held from September 5- 12, 2013, announced this year’s award winners. Winners automatically become eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for a possible Academy Award nomination. SEQUENCE (USA), directed by Carles Torrens was selected by the jury as the LA Shorts Fest Best of the Fest Award. Sequence is about a man who wakes up one morning to realize the entire world has dreamed about him the night before.
The juror selection for the Best Drama Award went to Care. (USA), directed by Brett Wagner; Drea is a young woman whose life is just about to happen. But she is starkly alone in caring for her father, who has Alzheimer’s and mistakes her for his wife. When his confusion turns to violence, Drea must confront the limits of her ability to care for him.
LA Shorts Fest Best Documentary Award went to director Douglas Sloan’s Eddie Adams: Saigon ‘68 (USA)—a film that launches a broader inquiry into people’s perception and understanding of visual imagery. Eddie Adams: Saigon ‘68 tells the little known and surprising backstory behind the most influential photo of the Vietnam War, how it transformed the lives of the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, and the man who pulled the trigger.
The Best Comedy Award went to Record Breaker (USA), directed by Ryan Velasquez. This quirky comedy tells the story of a boy, Jonathan, the only seemingly untalented member of a family of prodigies, who decides the only way to fit in with his special family, is to break a world record.
Stink TV’s drama, Little Secret (Czech Republic), directed by Martin Krejci took home LA Shorts Fest’s Best Foreign Film Award. Inspired by a true story that became a national scandal the Czech Republic in April 2012, Little Secrets tells the story of a teenage boy who tries to cover up a life-threatening mistake, but when the consequences begin to snowball, he realizes that every minute becomes harder and harder to take back the lie.
Portrait As A Random Act of Violence by director Randall Okita (Canada) received the award for Best Experimental. Portrait As A Random Act of Violence is a piece that incorporates performance and sculpture to examine themes of harm, protest, and destructive and restorative transformations.
This year’s Best Animation Award went to director Eoin Duffy’s The Missing Scarf (Ireland). Narrated by George Takei, The Missing Scarf is a black comedy exploring some of life’s common fears: fear of the unknown, of failure, rejection and finally the fear of death.
Rounding out the award winners for the 17th Annual LA Shorts Fest is Grouplove’s Ways To Go (USA), who took home the award for Best Music Video. Directed by Cameron Duddy, Ways To Go shows a colorful day in the life of Kim Jung-Un– his one good day.
The complete list of award winners are:
Best of the Fest: SEQUENCE (USA)
Best Drama: CARE. (USA)
Best Documentary: EDDIE ADAMS: SAIGON ‘68 (USA)
Best Comedy: RECORD BREAKER (USA)
Best Foreign Film: LITTLE SECRET (Czech Republic)
Best Experimental: PORTRAIT AS A RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE (Canada)
Best Animation: THE MISSING SCARF (Ireland)
Best Music Video: WAYS TO GO BY GROUPLOVE (USA)
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A CAUTIONARY TAIL starring Cate Blanchett
The 2013 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, now it its 17th year, will showcase 280 short films. The films are arranged into 44 programs, which will screen September 5-12, at the Laemmle Theatre in North Hollywood, California.
This year’s shorts features film and television stars: Elijah Wood (TOME OF THE UNKNOWN), Christopher Lloyd (THE COIN), Cate Blanchett (A CAUTIONARY TAIL), Sally Kellerman (JOAN’S DAY OUT), Tara Lynne Barr (JOAN’S DAY OUT), Betsy Franco (JOAN’S DAY OUT), Jason Ritter (THE GOLDFISH), Steven Michael Quezada (RED CLAY), John Ratzenberger (LOCAL COMMERCIAL), Gerard Depardieu (FRANK-ETIENNE), Ian McKellen (THE EGG TRICK), George Takei (THE MISSING SCARF), Missi Pyle (BAKERSFIELD, EARTH), Michael Richards (WALK THE LIGHT), Betsy Brandt (THE PROFESSOR), Rumer Willis (SIX LETTER WORD), Rufus Sewell (THE BRUNCHERS), Natalie Dormer (THE BRUNCHERS), the band Grouplove (WAYS TO GO), Katharine Ross (WINI + GEORGE), Rutger Hauer (TURN), Lee Meriwether (REMEMBER TO BREATHE), and Jim Broadbent (THE PHONE CALL).
The Festival also includes a number of award winning directors such as Louis D’Esposito (AGENT CARTER), Catherine Dent (SILK) and Ralph Macchio (ACROSS GRACE ALLEY), but will also screen short films from Marvel (AGENT CARTER), Cartoon Network (TOME OF THE UNKNOWN), RSA (THE PHONE CALL, KISMET DINER), Partizan (SHUNPO, MANIAC, THE GETAWAY), The Mill (THE CARETAKER), and Stink TV (LITTLE SECRET).
Throughout the festival, the selected short films are organized into programs covering a variety of genres: adventure, animation, comedy, documentary, drama, horror and sci-fi- and themes such as love, family, friendship, conflict, suspense, religion, and art.
Winners in six categories will automatically become eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for a possible Academy Award nomination. More recently, LA Shorts Fest gained accreditation from AMPSA in Short Subject Documentary. Over the course of 17 years, LA Shorts Fest has presented 44 films that have gone on to receive Academy Award nominations. Winners will be announced at the festival’s closing night on September 12, 2013.
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Death of a Shadow [/caption]
Death of a Shadow directed by Tom Van Avermaet of Belgium was awarded the top prize, Best of the Fest at the 2012 LA Shorts Fest. The film tells the offbeat story of a deceased World War I soldier stuck in a limbo between life and death and has to collect shadows to regain a second chance at life and love. Because the festival is officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the winning films are eligible for Oscar nominations.
The complete list of winners include:
BEST OF THE FEST
Death Of A Shadow
Drama / Belgium / 20 min.
Stuck in a limbo between life and death, a deceased World War I soldier has to collect shadows to regain a second chance at life and love. With two shadows left to collect, he discovers something that shakes his world completely.
Director: Tom Van Avermaet
Producer: Ellen De Waele, Isabelle Mathy
Writer: Tom Van Avermaet
Cast: Matthias Schoenaerts, Laura Verlinden
BEST FOREIGN FILM
Amores Passageiros (Love Drain)
Drama / Brazil / 23 min.
During a routine sewer inspection a lonely worker has an encounter that marks the beginning of a perplexing relationship.
Director: Augusto Canani
Producer: Luciana Tomasi
Writer: Augusto Canani, Lucas Gonzaga
Cast: Osmar Prado, Nadinne Oliveira
BEST DRAMA
Buzkashi Boys
Drama / Afghanistan / 27 min.
In the old city slums of Kabul, a blacksmith’s son and a street urchin dream of a better life against the backdrop of the national sport, Buzkashi. A glimpse of Afghanistan through the eyes of its youngest sons, making their way into manhood in the most war-torn country on Earth.
Director: Sam French
Producer: Ariel Nasr, Martin Roe
Writer: Sam French, Martin Roe
Cast: Fawad Mohammadi, Jawanmard Paiz
BEST COMEDY
Paulie
Comedy / USA / 11 min.
Paulie is a nine year old in the seventh grade. Used to being the smartest kid in the room, Paulie aces every test, wins every spelling bee and science fair, and does not lose. So when school bully Tony beats him one day at an essay contest, Paulie refuses to let it go.
Director: Andrew Nackman
Producer: David Haskell, Chris Abernathy
Writer: David Lee
Cast: Ethan Dizon, Hardy Gatlin
BEST ANIMATION
Fear of Flying
Animation / Ireland / 9 min.
A small bird with a fear of flying tries to avoid heading South for the winter.
Director: Conor Finnegan
Producer: Brunella Cocchiglia
Writer: Conor Finnegan
Cast: Mark Doherty, Aoife Duffin
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
KARA
Animation / France / 7 min.
KARA is being built in an android factory. While conducting tests on “her”, the plant operator finds a bug: KARA thinks! He starts disassembling her, but she begs him to keep her alive.
Director: David Cage
Producer: Guillaume de Fondaumiere
Writer: David Cage
Cast: Valorie Curry, Tercelin Kirtley
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Jujitsuing Reality
Documentary / USA / 17 min.
Despite living with ALS, screenwriter Scott Lew maintains his voice in the world through his scripts, giving added meaning to the expression “living to write.”
Director: Chetin Chabuk
Producer: Diane Becker
Writer: Chetin Chabuk
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Rudimental: Feel The Love
Music Video / USA / 4 min.
The video takes a look at the lives of a downtown youth group in Fletcher Street, Philadelphia featuring unreal scenes of horse- riding through the tough, urban neighborhood.
Director: Bob Harlow
Producer: Sarah Tognazzi, Gaetan Rousseau, Tash Tan
Writer: Bob Harlow, Augusto Sola
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Eva Mendes[/caption]
The 15th LA Shorts Fest running July 21 – 29, 2011 at Laemmle Sunset 5 Hollywood kicks off next Thursday and features a stellar Opening Night Film Program of 6 films, from some big name stars including Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, newly married Rachel Weisz, Terry Gilliam and the North American Premiere of Pixar’s La Luna.
Opening Night Film Program
The Wholly Family
Family / Italy / 20 min
An American couple and their son Jake are on holiday in Naples. During a tour, Jake stops at a stall, attracted by the carved shapes of Pulcinella that will accompany him in a dreamlike journey through the symbols of Naples.
Director: Terry Gilliam
Producer: Gabriele Oricchio, Amy Gilliam
Writer: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Cristiana Capotondi, Nicholas Connolly
California Romanza
Comedy / USA / 19 min
As Lena comes out of a recent breakup, she has a difficult time getting in the mood for Christmas. She is set to visit her yearly family gathering, but as she approaches her beloved Auntie JoJo and Uncle Pop‘s home, a manic situation is unfolding. Kissy Puss, the family cat and unofficial child of her Aunt and Uncle has gone missing!
Director: Eva Mendes
Producer: Kevin Chinoy, Francesca Silvestri
Writer: Massy Tadjedin
Cast: Christina Ricci, Kathy Najimy, Daniel Stern
Sodales
Action/Adventure / USA / 14 min
A battle for freedom ensues as two warrior princesses face off against an evil leader and his minions. As the fight for a sacred key continues, they encounter a myriad of enemies that they must vanquish if there is any hope to maintain their freedom. All is going according to plan in their plight…until Mom shows up.
Director: Jessica Biel
Producer: Kevin Chinoy, Francesca Silvestri
Writer: Jessica Biel
Cast: Emily Skinner, Tyler Wilkins
The Thief
Drama / USA / 15 min
A tall, dark stranger enters the home of Rosemarie while she is showering. Intending to rob and steal, the thief and Rosemarie find themselves in an incredibly surreal situation that takes them on a unique journey.
Director: Rachel Weisz
Producer: Kevin Chinoy, Francesca Silvestri
Writer: Laurie Colleyer
Cast: Rosemarie Dewitt, Joel Edgerton
North American Premiere of Pixar’s La Luna – La Luna
Animation / USA / 7 min
A coming of age tale about a boy who, on his first work outing with his Papa and Grandpa, discovers his family‘s unusual line of work. The boy is faced with the decision of whether to follow the example of his Papa and Grandpa or to find his own way in the midst of it all.
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Producer: Kevin Reher , John Lasseter
Writer: Enrico Casarosa
A Work Of Persol
Documentary / USA / 29 min
In 2009, Persol began collaborating with 20 of the world‘s brightest contemporary artists. Each artist borders on an obsession for detail, and designs his or her own creations with a unique process of hand-craftsmanship. “A Work of Persol” celebrates the passion and process inherent in these 20 artists‘ creative processes.
Director: Joe Kayser
Producer: Jennifer Golub
Writer: Joe Kayser
LA Shorts Fest honors those individuals who have achieved excellence in short films. As the largest short film festival in the world with more than 1,000 entries, 250 film screenings and 9 days of guest speakers, interactive and entertaining events, the festival has become the industry standard for showcasing and awarding undiscovered.
Officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, some of these films may go on to receive Oscar nominations. Here is the list of award winning films from 14th LA Shorts Fest held in LA, July 22 – 30, 2010.