We are honored to co-host the “and Then…” Premiere Party and Screening for filmmaker Ka’ramuu Kush! We are joining with the film’s producers Tambay A. Obenson & Rodney C. Parnther of SHADOW AND ACT, indiewire’s Black Cinema blog to celebrate the online release of the film. Ka’ramuu directed and acted in the film, from the award winning script penned by Ka’ramuu and Alisha Hinds. The film stars Diandra Lyles, Ka’ramuu and legendary actress Vanessa Williams, and was produced as part of SHADOW AND ACT‘s Filmmaker Challenge.
And Then…
a film by Ka’ramuu Kush
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013 6pm – 9pm
Dim Mak Studios (aka Cinespace) 6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs Hollywood, CA 90028
The evening begins with our filmmaker reception at 6pm, and the film will screen at 7:30pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. Actor/Director Ka’ramuu Kush has been a member of the HOLLYWOOD SHORTS community since he was honored at our 2012 AFRICAN AMERICAN SHORTSFEST with his thesis short film SALVATION ROAD.
Please RSVP for the guest list for our special reception and screening at Hollywood’s favorite cinema lounge DIM MAK STUDIOS (a.k.a. CINESPACE).
Dimmak Studios (formerly Cinespace) 6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs Hollywood, CA 90028
Sunday, June 23, 2013 5:00pm – 6:30pm Filmmaker Happy Hour 6:30pm – 8:00pm Short Film Program & Q&A
Join us for another fantastic program of short films & animation, and our monthly Filmmaker Happy Hour.
Short Film Program #7 includes a special screening of the first episodes of THE NEW KIND, the new anime-flavored sci fi series from Peter Hyoguchi. We will get an exclusive work-in-progress look at Peter’s extraordinary production, which includes a very successful kickstarter campaign, a remarkable animation crew (over 200 people so far!),and an innovative, multi-state work flow.
The line up also features Kate Rees Davies’ new short film STICKS AND STONES, shot on the F65 in 4K. Kate collaborated with DP Steve Romano as she made the move from film to digital shooting. The short film is the story of Sam, an artistic 12 year old played by Cole Ewing, who is being bullied at school.
The program includes an encore screening of one of the films from the 2013 LA Film Festival. HOLLYWOOD SHORTS is proud to return as the Presenting Organization of Short Film Program 1 at LAFF this year – and we will screen one of our favorite films from this group, BUSTED ON BRIGHAM LANE by Talibah L. Newman. Talibah wrote and directed the film, which won a 2012 Director’s Guild of America Student Film Award.
In a contemporary adaptation based on Camille Claude’s life, an extremely gifted sculptor spends her youth in the shadows of a married man almost twice her age.
Actors Lab 1.01 Instructor: Michael Bond Lab Fee: $50.00 per week
Sundays, March 3 – March 27 3:30pm – 6:30pm
JET STUDIOS 5126 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Our ACTING FOR THE CAMERA Lab is a four week workshop, where each actor will work a scene with a scene partner, and focus specifically on the scene for the entire lab. Each team will work their scene with director Michael Bond, explore blocking and scene development and then the scenes will be filmed. Actors are encouraged to stretch and experiment, try and try again, explore and investigate character and story in a safe and supportive environment.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA Lab will focus on different techniques, developing actor relationships, approaches to working with the camera, and understanding basic filmic language, ultimately informing your on set experiences.
MICHAEL BOND – Educator HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Actors Lab
Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) hosts a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. Our monthly seminars encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.
The HS/EFP Actors Labs offer innovative and creative approaches to practical knowledge to empower and prepare actors for their next on set creative collaboration.
ABOUT MICHAEL BOND
Michael Bond is an award winning director and screenwriter, from Perth, Australia. Michael co-founded the Perth Screen Acting Workshop, which is now in its 21st year. He has taught writing & directing, and has mentored filmmakers & actors in workshops, film schools and on set for 20 years.
Michael has worked extensively in Australia’s film and television industry, with directing credits in industrials, music videos, stage productions, tons of shorts and interstitials, and television.
Michael now resides in Los Angeles, and he works as a director and writer. He recently completely pilot for SyFy Channel with writing parter Michael Petroni. His recent feature film PASSENGERS starring Cameron Daddo was shot in car driving from Santa Monica to Los Feliz. The film was an official selection at the Mill Valley Film Festival, Ashland Film Festival, Cannes Cinephiles, and was a nominee for the Screen Producers of Australia Assoc.’s prestigious Dig-SPAA Award.
The CrowdSourced Film, a montage of user-generated videos and graphics, a global mash-up demonstrating the vast potential of creative collaboration in the 21st century. Music by MOBY.
LAB #1.03: GETTING THE BEST IMAGE FROM YOUR CAMERA
HS/FILMLAB 2012 Cinematography Lab
Tues., June 12, 2012 1:00pm – 4:00pm
PANAVISION – HOLLYWOOD 6735 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
The age of digital gives us extraordinary flexibility within the camera to manipulate the recorded image. Go inside the camera to learn what all those menu functions really mean – and how to make them work for you.
Learn how to balance an on-set monitor and how to make white balance a create tool. In addition, we will take a look at the similarities and differences between several cameras from a variety of manufacturers in different formats and price ranges.
This lab is designed for all camera experience levels – this is a great primer for filmmakers, camera crew, and anyone interested in learning more about how today’s advanced camera systems work.
REGISTER
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab – $35.00
Jay Holben – Head Educator HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematographers Lab
Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.
The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…
Seminar Topics include:
Fundamentals of Cinematography
Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
Camera Lenses
The Flavors of HD
Camera Accessories & Camera Prep
Lighting from Home Depot
ABOUT JAY HOLBEN Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and has contributed to several books including the American Cinematographers Manual. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition. He is the author of “A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget” which was released earlier this year. This year, Jay also co-founded FILMMAKER IN A BOX, an educational resource for feature filmmakers. Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short film adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.
Sunday, May 20, 2012 5pm – 8pm Dimmak Studios (formerly Cinespace) 6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs Hollywood, CA 90028
FREE
Edition 14.9
SHORT FILM PROGRAM #9
5pm – 6pm Filmmaker Happy Hour
6pm – 8pm Short Film Program & Filmmaker Panel
THE MAKER – Christopher & Christine Kezelos
EL COCODRILO (THE CROCODILE) – Steve Acevedo
SOME BOYS DON’T LEAVE – Maggie Kiley
THE DOLPHIN – Bryan Watkins & Josh Mann
I HAVE NO HOLD ON YOU – T. Thaddeus Cahill & Victory Palmisano
THE MAKER Director: Christopher Kezelos Producer: Christine Kezelos
Stop Motion Animation
A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.
EL COCODRILO (THE CROCODILE) Director: Steve Acevedo Writer: Alfredo Barrios, Jr.
Cast: Jacob Vargas, Aldolfo Alvarez, Hugo Medina
When a Mexican journalist is pressured to reveal the names of his sources, he flees to the U.S. with his young son. Hot on his trail is a cartel sicario dispatched to assassinate him.
SOME BOYS DON’T LEAVE Director: Maggie Kiley Writers: Matthew Mullen & Maggie Kiley
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Eloise Mumford
What happens with the break-up happens, but the break does not.
THE DOLPHIN Director: Bryan Watkins Writer: Josh Mann
Cast: Josh Mann, Jane Anne Thomas, Jeff, Korber, Sky Soleil
PANAVISION – HOLLYWOOD 6735 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
In today’s digital age, higher quality and less expensive cameras have democratized the filmmaking process making it accessible to nearly everyone. Now that is easier than ever to get out there and start shooting on your own, it is important to learn the art, aesthetics and science of how to utilize digital technology to create an artistic and pleasing image.
Cinematographer-turned-director JAY HOLBEN, Technical Editor at DV Magazine, will take us on a journey through the basics of photographic imagery. Jay will cover what light is and how we see it, to understanding dynamic range, exposure and WHY we light (especially when modern cameras can nearly see in the dark). The Fundamentals of Cinematography explores how the professional cinematographer crafts their images. Move your own image-making forward quantum leaps. This lab is perfect for aspiring DPs and camera crew, filmmakers who have recently acquired a digital camera package, and directors who want to improve understanding and communication with their cinematographers.
REGISTER
Jay Holben – Head Educator HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematographers Lab
Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.
The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…
Seminar Topics will include:
Fundamentals of Cinematography
Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
The Camera Crew
Flavors of HD
The Camera Showcase
Lighting from Home Depot
ABOUT JAY HOLBEN Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and has contributed to several books including the American Cinematographers Manual. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition. He is the author of “A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget” which was released earlier this year. This year, Jay also co-founded FILMMAKER IN A BOX, an educational resource for feature filmmakers. Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short film adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.
5th African American ShortsFest at theAmerican Cinematheque
Saturday, February 11th, 2012 The Egyptian Theatre 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
Our annual collaboration with the American Cinematheque to celebrate a new generation of filmmakers who are expanding diversity of storytelling and redefining characters in independent American Cinema.
Tickets $7.00 – $11.00 – available via Fandango or at the Egyptian Theater box office
MonKKey ‘500’ 8 min. Dir. Ajamu M. Frasier A young girl witnesses 500 soldiers desperately attempt to apprehend one lone monk.
The Truth About Beauty and Blogs 13 min. Dir. Rosalyn Coleman Williams A social media diva is thrown off her game when her boyfriend starts acting up on Facebook.
Love Lockdown 18 min. Dir. Nadia Hallgren Shoshana is a young mother from the Bronx who is fighting to keep her family together while awaiting the fate of her fiancé Felix, who is locked up and on trial.
Vision 3 min. Dir. Lemuel Thornton III An autobiographical experimental journey.
This Weekend Update 5 min Dir. Victor Dean A weekly web news show as only Paul Mooney, Jr. can bring it!
Mourning News 9 min Dir. Kimberly Denise Sanders Laurie, an overworked and underappreciated stay-at-home mom, finds her day taking a turn for the worse when two cops show up at her doorstep with news.
Solace 13 min Dir. Tchaiko Omawale Sole, a socially awkward recluse, discovers through her window-watching that her pretty and popular neighbor Jasmine has a secret.
Fanti Love Song 4 min. Dir. Sam Kessie Ghanian artist M3NSA has to choose between two loves – his career or the woman in his life.
Salvation Road 18 min. Dir. Ka’ramuu Kush Business becomes unusual when an unsuspecting hit man senses that he’s been witnessed executing his traitorous mentor.
6:30pm – 8:00pm Short Film Program #1 & Filmmaker Panel
HOW TO KILL YOUR CLONE –Ed McWilliams & Jack McWilliams
EX-SEX –Michael Mohan
THE SEA IS ALL I KNOW –Jordan Bayne
On set with the cast & crew of CLONE
Join us for our January installment of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS. We are screening a fantastic collection of short films and animation, and hosting a special Cast & Crew celebration for the brand new short film HOW TO KILL YOUR CLONE by the hilarious McWilliams Brothers.
The program includes Michael Mohan’s 2011 short film EX-SEX and we will toast him as he heads back to Park City to premiere his newest feature film. This will be Michael’s third consecutive Sundance selection, three years in a row. It is an amazing accomplishment!
Jordan Bayne works with Melissa Leo - Photo courtesy: Ilana Elberg
We are also sharing an exclusive encore screening of THE SEA IS ALL I KNOW – one of the best shorts of 2011 by New York filmmaker Jordan Bayne. This mega-award winning short stars Oscar winning actress Melissa Leo and a stellar cast. If you have not seen this very special film, this is a great opportunity see Jordan’s work.
Our Cast & Crew Party will start at 5pm, and we will start the films at 6:30pm.
DIMMAK STUDIOS (formerly Cinespace) 6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs
SEASON 13 CLOSING NIGHT
Join us for the final installment of our 13th season!! We are thrilled to celebrate another year of amazing screenings and meeting so many talented storytellers with a great night of films and animation.
Tonight we will also have a special Cast and Crew reception for the hard working people who worked on THE AERIAL GIRL with Anna & Peter Sands, and COLLISION with Alexis Ostrander and Tiffany Giddes.
Paralyzed after a near-fatal car accident, Jessica discovers that her rehab training is part of a plan to mold her into a lethal assassin.
A special “work in progress” sneak peek for the cast and crew of COLLISION – the labor of love of actress/activist Tiffany Giddes. Tiffany’s mission is to change the types of roles she gets called in on and how producers/casting directors/filmmakers think of Actors with Disabilities. She brought together screenwriter Katherine Beattie and Alexis Ostrander, the director of the new feature doc Defining Beauty: Ms. Wheelchair America, to create these action-packed Chick Assassin on Wheels characters.
Urban cool teen Taylor’s life is uprooted when her father dies and she moves to her grandfather’s ranch in Wyoming with her mother. There she meets a ranch hand who turns her life upside down.
Longtime HOLLYWOOD SHORTS members Anna Simone Scott and producer Peter Sands (the filmmaking team at Vision Fire Films) teamed up with screenwriter Terri Sissman to create this touching drama.
When his father dies unexpectedly, a young man seeking to cope with his grief goes on a powerful emotional journey through time and space.
One of the biggest sensations of the 2010/2011 festival season! Martin & Stefan have a young animation company aptly named Dancing Squirrel in Ausburg, Germany. The overwhelming success of this gorgeous animated short created worldwide visibility for these young storytellers.
learn more about the directors & animators featured in our May 21 program
This month we feature the work of lauded Australian stop-motion animation team CHRISTOPHER & CHRISTINE KEZELOS, documentary filmmaker JESS DANG, and New York filmmaker PIERRE STEFANOS.
Zealous Creative is the production company run by husband and wife team, director Christopher Kezelos and producer Christine Kezelos, which relocated from their native home in Sydney to Los Angeles this month. They have been creating award-winning ads, films and viral campaigns & websites for over a decade.
Many of their short films have been highly successful on the festival circuit including DentaMate which screened at the 2006 Rhode Island International Film Festival. Their multi-award winning short film No Butts About It was selected to screen in Sydney Metropolitan Public Schools to raise awareeness of local environmental issues.
In 2009, their 1st stop motion animated short Zero launched on the festival world and has reached massive critical and audience acclaim. The film has won 11 awards including Best Animation at the 2010 Los Angeles Shortsfest and received two Gold Awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society. It was nominated for the AFI Award in Best Short Animation (Australia’s Oscar).
Zealous Creative is just weeks away from finishing their newest short animated film The Maker, and is in development on a feature length stop motion animated film. They are currently seeking to collaborate with an LA based 3D VFX shop and a sound house to finish The Maker.
Jess Dang is a graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts film production program. She received her BFA in Communication Design from Parsons NYC. She moved quickly into art department, working extensively as an art director and designer specializing in brand identity and advertising. As art director at McCann Erickson, she worked on campaigns for Target, Verizon, Intel, Mobile One, MTV & more.
Jess is focusing on documentary filmmaking in her final year at ‘SC and building her career as a director on doc based film and television. She also continues to work as an art director and is working to expand her commercial success into production designing for film & television.
Pierre Stefanos is a native New Yorker, and a graduate of Columbia University. He has been a writer for more than half his life, first as a music critic and opinions columnist for the Columbia Daily Spectator and the vaunted independent music review site InkblotMagazine.com
After several years working with Fortune 100 clients for companies like AT&T and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Pierre refocused his attention to filmmaking, working as an AD and UPM on many award-winning independent films. He also worked as a script reader for Open City Films/Blow Up Pictures.
Pierre is also an accomplished editor, winning a 2006 Business Emmy nomination as part of the post team for “Crude Awakening” episode on PBS investigative news series “Now”, and he was the editor of the 2008 Emmy-winning epidode of Bravo’s “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List”. He assisted editor Nancy Baker on Karen Goodman’s Oscar nominated doc “Rehearsing A Dream” about the YoungARTS kids. He was also the AE on the 2011 Oscar nominated doc short “Killing In The Name”.
In celebration of Christopher and Christine Kezelos moving their stop motion animation production team to Los Angeles, we welcome them with a special reception and celebration of their mega award-winning short ZERO… also, a special encore screening of one of the most awarded films of the year – BEDFELLOWS by Pierre Stefano.
A modern day fairy tale that asks the question, when a hook up leads to a sleepover, can Bobby’s dreams about a future together help make the relationship real?
We are thrilled and honored to join the family of sponsors of this year’s INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL of Los Angeles. We have been involved in this festival for years, participating on industry panels and One-on-Ones. It is no secret that we annual declare that IFFLA has the BEST Swag Bag of any LA fest and we LOVE the awesome filmmaker lunch they host each year.
Nisha Ganatra
BEHOLDER
Kranti Kanade
IDOL
Shripriya Mahesh
IN THAT MOMENT
This year HOLLYWOOD SHORTS expands our relationship with IFFLA with our new role as the Presenting Organization of Short Film Program #1, which will premiere on Wednesday April 13th at The Arclight Hollywood at 7:00pm, and repeat on Saturday at 4:30 also at the Arclight.
Abi Varghese
THE RETURN ADDRESS
Nina Sabnani
THE STITCHES SPEAK
Shlok Sharma
TUBELIGHT’S MOON
Hardik Mehta
WHEELING DREAMS
We join Festival Director CHRISTINA MAROUDAand invite the entire HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Family to join us in celebrating the work of seven short filmmakers and their creative teams. This is a powerful line up of short films; exquisite storytelling and remarkable production values. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is committed to supporting emerging filmmakers and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. We are proud to join the 2011 family of sponsors and volunteers of IFFLA.
Two Opportunities To Figure Out A Festival Strategy That Is Right For Your Film!!
For most emerging filmmakers, the goal of launching a film on the film festival circuit begins with one singular dream: SUNDANCE! But what lies beyond Sundance for you and your film? In this informative seminar, veteran film festival programmer & film consultant Thomas Ethan Harris (former Director Of Programming Los Angeles Film Festival and Palm Springs International Festival Of Short Films) offers filmmakers practical skills to navigating the world of film festivals to maximum effect.
What are the most significant film festivals and showcases you should be considering right now before that ultimate Sundance dream fades and you are left with a very good film with no place to show it?
Topics to be discussed include:
A survey of the most important film festivals in both the United States and the international community.
A breakdown and discussion of what particular film festivals are looking for and what individual film festivals respond to as they build their yearly slate of selected films.
How to strategize the best festival release for your film.
The growing importance of community and genre film festivals.
Why establishing a good “perception” for your film in the film festival world may be the most valuable strategy of all.
What do I do with my “work-in-process” film with festival deadlines quickly approaching? Is it worth submitting a WIP to Sundance or South By Southwest?
Film Festival Diagnosis For Your Film: Do I have a “festival” movie? Before you spend all that money on submission fees, what is the primary definition of today’s “film festival” content?
PLUS!!!
Secret “insider tips” on submitting your film that will improve your chances of getting selected!!
A list of film festivals to AVOID and why!
Whether you are currently submitting your film to festivals or whether you are in production on your film or even if you are just prepping or writing your first film, EVERYONE is encourage to check out this insightful, stimulating and empowering discussion of film festivals and film festival release strategy.
NAVIGATING THE FILM FESTIVAL WORLD
The American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Thursday, March 24, 2011 @ 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Thursday, March 31, 2011 @ 7:30pm – 10:30pm (Repeat Engagement)
ADVANCED TICKETS: $12 Cinematheque Members, $15 Students/Seniors, $20 General. Order tickets online at www.fandango.com or buy them in person at the Egyptian Box Office. The Egyptian Box Office is open 1.5 hours before the first program of the day or evening. In addition to in person and www.fandango.com, CINEMATHEQUE MEMBERS may be purchased tickets in advance by phone: 323.692.3431
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FILMMAKER TICKET DISCOUNT!!
Hollywood Shorts Friend & Filmmakers will be offered a special $15 ticket to our NAVIGATING THE FILM FESTIVAL WORLD seminars when purchasing SAME DAY (March 24 or March 31) tickets only. Inquire about these details, in person, at the Egyptian Box Office.
Cheap Parking! The American Cinematheque’s Egyptian and Spielberg Theatres validate only for HOLLYWOOD AND HIGHLAND, $2 for 4 hours (each additional 20 minutes is $1.) LA Film School Lot, 6363 West Sunset Boulevard (enter on east side of Ivar, north of Sunset). $5 Lot closes at 1am.
COMING April 2011…
PREPARING FOR FILM FESTIVALS: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Making the most of your film’s debut on the festival circuit takes both time and creativity. How can you substantially drive more business attention/press exposure to your short/feature film? When do you need a producer rep, a publicist, a marketing consultant to help your film? How can you expand your film’s run on the festival circuit? What are the primary elements of a professional press kit? Why is establishing a good “perception” of your film the most important thing you can do for your film? Get all the digs with this, our FESTIVAL PREP KIT.
Film Consultant Thomas Ethan Harris provides direction to the best way to help your film achieve its potential in the big bad festival world!
The Reprisal of our SOLD OUT SMASH:
IN THE CUT: EMPLOYING THE ART OF EDITING
The shower scene in PSYCHO. Two glamorous bank robber’s final end in BONNIE AND CLYDE. A runaway baby carriage in BATTLE SHIP POTEMKIN. Lack of continuity in BREATHLESS. Chances are you first remember these master works of cinema for their film editing. When do you employ the jump cut, cross cut, elliptically cut and what is their actual effect? What is “dialectical montage”, “suturing” and how does “cutting to a character’s POV” enhance a film? Thomas Ethan Harris instructs this clip-based seminar where everything’s in the cut.
We are accepting short films of all genres and animated shorts for our annual AFRICAN AMERICAN SHORTSFEST with the American Cinematheque in Hollywood.
As part of our Signature Screenings Series, the 4th AFRICAN AMERICAN SHORTSFEST continues our mission to share the outstanding work of new voices exploring new themes and crafting new storytelling styles that will expand the future of American Cinema. We are thrilled to return once again to the historic Egyptian Theatre, both right in the heart of Hollywood, and just a few feet in front of Oscar Micheaux’s star on the Walk of Fame.
Against her mother-in-law’s wishes and her husband’s preference, Dottie, a woman with questionable cooking talent, determines to take on Thanksgiving Dinner.
A lonely outcast pup finds himself working the circus with a crowd of rambunctious poodles. Unnoticed and unloved, will he ever find kindness in his lonely little world?
It is high holy days for the Frightening, Gory and Hysterical horror films we love – HALLOWEEN!!! One of our favorite holiday traditions begins when filmmaker Adam Green and his production juggernaut at ArieScope releases their annual Halloween Short film every year. The ArieScope H’ween comedy bloodfest always arrives just around the same time as the great programming from Shriekfest and Screamfest, so we get to gobble up copious amounts of outstanding comedy horror shorts this time of year.
Our October HOLLYWOOD SHORTS program featured HOW MY DAD KILLED DRACULA, directed by HS member SKY SOLEIL a few years ago. Joe Wilson’s VAMPIRE MOB web series just keeps getting better and better – we screened the pilot episode at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS at our Comedy Film Nerds show this summer. It always just gets us in the spirit for some trick-or-treatin’.
Scroll down, grab yer candy corns and watch some of our favorite comedy Halloween short films!
JUST TAKE ONE from Adam Green
VAMPIRE MOB, Episode 1 by Joe Wilson
THE HORRIBLY SLOW MURDERER WITH THE EXTREMELY INEFFICIENT WEAPON by Richard Gale
Several key elements must occur for me to get into the holiday spirit – the arrival of the seasonal Pumpkin Latte at Starbucks, and the annual Halloween short film from the guys at ArieScope, led by horror film director ADAM GREEN. Coming off Adam’s new feature HATCHET 2, and all the media guff a few weeks ago when the much anticipated film was unbelievably yanked by theatres during opening weekend, they still made the time to put together another amazing Halloween short film. JUST TAKE ONE is their 12th annual Halloween short, starring Adam and Joe Lynch. The hysterical film features a nice cameo appearance from the JACK CHOP guy!
CAST: John Colella, Reamy Hall, Marcia Wallace, Kirsten Vangsness, Chris Mulkey, Elizabeth Beckwith, Andrew Cansler, Jim Roof, Cris D’Annunzio
Comedian/filmmaker Joe Wilson created and directs VAMPIRE MOB, a web series about a hitman who is a vampire. His mother-in-law is now moving in… for all eternity. Outstanding cast and laugh out loud funny. Season 1 includes 6 episodes, and they are currently beginning production on Season 2.
CAST: Paul Clemens, Brian Rohan, Fay Kato, Melissa Paladino, Mike Kacey
Three time Emmy winning filmmaker Richard Gale wrote, directed and produced the little film with the big name. HSMWTIW was clearly “The” Horror Short Film of 2009, grabbing 12 fest awards during its epic festival run. This film was everywhere, and has over 9 million views on YouTube alone. Oh… and it is really funny.
Veteran actor and filmmaker Sky Soleil’s HOW MY DAD KILLED DRACULA hit the festival circuit in 2008, and instantly became a Halloween classic. It went on to over 20 festival appearances, including Palm Springs Shortfest, Shriekfest, Chicago Horror, Cleveland, Florida and Rhode Island Film Festivals. HMDKD won the Audience Award for Best Family Film at the ’08 DC Shorts Film Festival
A schizophrenic pickpocket scours the underground trains at the command of his inner demons. But when an accidental score reconnects him with his past, he must test his strength and defy the voices in his head. In the end, the quest for love proves to be the most meaningful of all.
MICHAEL BOND – Educator
Michael Bond is an award winning director and screenwriter, from Perth, Australia. Michael co-founded the Perth Screen Acting Workshop, which is now in its 21st year. He has taught writing & directing, and has mentored filmmakers & actors in workshops, film schools and on set for 20 years.
HS/FILMLAB 2012 
Jay Holben – Head Educator
COLLISION
