Only in its eighth year, DC Shorts is distinctive as the largest audience-driven short film festival in the nation. Festival Director and founder Jon Gann shared, “Our festival proves that great film is no longer just from Hollywood, but from everyone and everywhere.”
In all, 145 short films from 23 different countries will be shown over the 10-day festival in 17 separate showcases. Each showcase is a 90-minute assortment of comedic, dramatic and romantic short films that are, at maximum, 20 minutes apiece. Approximately 180 filmmakers are attending the festival from around the world. Last year one of the films shown, God of Love by Luke Matheny, went on to win an Academy Award, firmly establishing the festival’s repuation for quality programming. Gann promises that this year’s film festival is no exception. Over 1100 submissions from around the world were watched by teams of volunteers, who narrowed them to a field of 300 for final selection by the festival committee. Like most festivals, films are critiqued on style, content, originality and technical merits, but unique to DC Shorts is an on-line scoring system that allows filmmakers to log in to obtain feedback on their films, regardless of whether they are accepted or not. Not only does this provide them with valuable insight, it ensures that the quality of submissions improves from year to year.
The direct result is that the festival has grown in popularity each year. From two theatres last year, films will now be shown at four locations: E Street Cinema in downtown DC, Artisphere in Rosslyn, Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street NE, and the US Navy Memorial Heritage Center in Penn Quarter.
As always, audience feedback is a key part of the DC Shorts experience and ballots provided at every screening allow attendees to vote for their favorite film. In addition to the audience awards, DC Shorts presents awards for Filmmaker’s Favorite, Festival Director’s Favorite, Outstanding First-Time Director, Outstanding Cinematography, Outstanding Local Film and Outstanding Food-Themed Film.The award winners selected by jury and audience votes will be shown in two showcases on September 17 and 18 at the Atlas Art Center and US Naval Memorial. Expect tough competition this year as there are several standouts among the films. Following is a rundown of some highlights from each of the showcases.
She was the One, an animated film in Showcase One, focuses on the memories of a couple after one is killed in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Another moving work is A Menina Espantalho (Scarecrow Girl), a drama about a girl who must get creative about learning to read when she is denied formal education.
Bip Bip
In Showcase Two, The Winking Boy is a comedy about how a fraudulent hospital patient’s jealously and lust for a new nurse fuels him to ruin the life of a rival suitor. Another great movie in Showcase Two is Bip Bip (Beep Beep), from Canada, in which a boyfriend who can’t fall asleep because of his girlfriend’s beeping watch creatively adapts to it. It is not what you expect and it’s a cute film. In Showcase Three, Leonids Geschichte is a harrowing first-person account of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath.
In Showcase Four, Wanting Alex tells the tale of a male roommate who talks to the camera to describe his longing love for his female roommate. Almost everyone can relate to his love dilemma and the comedy that results. In Showcase Five, First Dates is a clever walk through first dates and how hard it is to find love. In Showcase Six another tale of love unrequited unfolds in the The Potential Wives of Norman Mao, the story of a sheltered Taiwanese man trying to find true love. The film is both funny and moving and in the end, Norman finds he is not alone. It’s a different kind of date in Showcase Seven when Interview Date delivers a dose of comedy Three’s Company style. When a blind date gets mixed up with a job interview hilarity ensues.
In Showcase Eight, A Finger, Two Dots Then Me, explores human mortality in such a way that it leaves you filled with hope and beauty. In Showcase Nine, Amadores (The Amateurs) shows what happens when a man with a romantic view of relationships pursues a woman with a more pragmatic bent. The dialogue is witty and fun. Journey to Paris during Showcase Ten’s A Wink of the Eye, a touching and beautiful film that follows an American who meets a beautiful Parisian and chases her across the city.
First Dates
In Showcase Eleven, the documentary Still in Motion inspires the viewer with the story of an elderly man with Parkinson’s who copes through dancing and movement. In Showcase Twelve, All of Me: Sex Over Seventy explores elderly men and women’s sexuality and proves that life doesn’t stop because of age. In Showcase Thirteen, Two’s a Crowd is a unique look at a husband and wife who have lived separately…until now. Will it work out?
In Showcase Fourteen, Una Carrerita, Doctor! (A Doctor’s Job) shows what happens when a doctor moonlights as a taxi cab driver and ends up in a sticky situation. In Showcase Fifteen, Bye Bye Now! takes viewers on a nostalgic journey to witness the removal of the phone booth from Irish villages. This poignant film makes you think about the role of the phone booth and communication in everyday life.
In Showcase Sixteen Arranged Marriage introduces us to two complete strangers set to wed who are meeting for the first time. It’s easy to empathize with their awkwardness and touching to see how their shared plight helps them warm to eachother. In Showcase Seventeen, the beautifully drawn cartoon Amazonia follows a tree frog who tries to find lunch and will avoiding being lunch.
Ironically at the August press launch, one of the films shown was 0507 by Chris and Ben Blain, a short that shows when life with an iPhone is harder rather than easier. Ironic because the festival is a very tech-friendly event. The website includes a proprietary film sorter that allows you to organize films by showcase, genre, country of origin or interest. Click on a film and a synopsis and trailer appear. Twitter and Facebook updates and online blogs are just some of the ways to stay up-to-date throughout.
One thing you’ll want to be sure to put on your calendar are the parties for which the festival has become so well known. Ranging from casual affairs to gala bashes, each provides a relaxed atmosphere for meeting the filmmakers and other film enthusiasts.
One of the party highlights is The Brazilian Carnival on Saturday, September 10, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Artisphere in Rosslyn and is a recreation of the famous Brazilian Carnival. Alma Tropicalia (DC’s tribute to Brazil’s psychedelic pop movement from the 1960s), the all-female drum group Batala, DC’s own Carnival Queen Zezeh Zax, live Brazilian jazz from Elin, and more will provide entertainment. Enjoy drinks courtesy of Malibu Black and Barefoot Wines, as well as delicious Brazilian food.
The Closing Bash will take place Saturday, September 17, from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H St. NE. This is a great way to celebrate an amazing week of films and close out the festival with wonderful drinks and live music. An open bar will be provided by Stella Artois, 42 Below Vodka and Barefoot Wines. Both parties include light refreshments and an open bar. Please note, attendees must be 21 years of age. Tickets are $25 or $20 with a movie ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Festival tickets are available online for $12, and all-festival passes are available. Tickets at the door are $15, but don’t take chances; last year most showcases sold out.
DC Shorts Film Festival September 8 – 18, 2011. For a complete listing of all films, showcase times and locations, visit www.dcshorts.com.
