LA SHORTS FILM FEST PROVES TO BE ALL THAT and A BAG OF POPCORN

Moviegoers and all lovers of short films, got their chance to attend a showcase of over 280 films arranged and sectioned, into 44 programs at the 17^th annual Los Angeles Shorts Film Festival.

The kick off date, Thursday, September 5, sizzled with over 90-degree heat at North Hollywood’s Laemmle Theatre, where the seven-day event is taking up residence. The shorts fest will run until Thursday, September 12. Each short film is selected, organized into categories, and then assigned to the genres of adventure, animation, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, sci-fi, and themes such as love, family, friendship, conflict, suspense, religion, and art. Shorts selected for screening and competition, feature award winning actors, directors, and filmmakers from over 17 countries worldwide.

There were some great shorts featured on opening day and greater ones expected throughout the festival. “Solely” produced and written by Madia Hill, directed by, Anna Nersesyan was one of many fantastic and brilliantly written, produced and directed shorts. “Solely,” presents us with the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. Madia Hill stars in the film as well, along with actor, Toy Lei. Hill seduces the audience by showing slithers of creative and artistically choreographed dance scenes while tackling the sensitive subject of abortion. Things become complicated as Madia is faced with the reality of making the tough decision all by herself. As she comes to grips with having to face the situation alone, director Nersesyan gets led us into emotional depth while tweaking the many moods of the viewer. ” Solely,” expresses a universal truth that all women could be faced with and offers solace to the audience in its approach to women’s rights issues.   

 “Shaya”, written and directed by, Amir Noorani and produced by, Mike Gut and Eric Bergemann.

The cast features Laikh Tewari and Shruti Tewari. This highly charged short’s theme was based around a Pakistani family sent to live in America. The family’s perception of America quickly changes after young, “Shaya,” along with his mother, encounter local neighborhood bullies while carrying groceries home from the local market. The plot thickens when “Shaya” is forced to look for money and food after being robbed and beaten by the bullies. The bullies are caught off guard, when one of their own helps “Shaya” escape after witnessing him steal a bag of groceries. Things get very out of hand when the neighborhood encounters tragedy. This short focused on cultural differences and gives a glaring example, of how in truth, all impoverished communities around the globe are faced with lack of education, lack of food, lack of clothes and lack of the proper nourishment of spirit. 

Produced by Jude Roth, Reena Dutt and directed by Heather de Michele’s “El Doctor” proved a worthy opponent as a short for consideration. When husband and wife homeowners pick up two Mexican workers a chain of events are set in motion. Dark shadows are cast upon sunny skies, when one worker, after asking to use the couple’s bathroom to wash his hands, falls upon unfortunate circumstances. The worker is falsely accused, after he is seen in the bathroom talking with the couple’s young son. The entire family is suddenly faced, with challenging hard-core mis-perceived views and prejudices, when the two workers are asked to leave. A must see for social and cultural enthusiasts.

 AMPAS, the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences considers the winners of each film short genre, for a possible Academy Award nomination. The LA Shorts Fest also gained accreditation from AMPSA in Short Subject.

Documentary. The fest has garnered 44 films that went onto receive Academy Award nominations. This year’s winners are to be announced at the festival’s closing night on September 12, 2013. Highlights of the festival shorts showcases prominent Hollywood actors, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lloyd, Cate Blanchet, Jason Ritter, Ian McKellan, George Takei, Gerard Depardieu, Missi Pyle, Katherine Ross, Rutger Hauer, Lee Meriwether & Jim Broadbent. Featured directors include Louis D”Esposito, Catherine Dent & Ralph Macchio. The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival “LA Shorts Fest” ranks among the most prestigious international short film festivals in the world. The festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Past honorees at the festival include directors, Paul Haggis, Bryan Singer, Jan de Bont, Shane Black, Jon Favreau, and actors Gary Oldman, James Woods, and Martin Landau. Other known actors and directors have screened and attended the festival like Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Courteney Cox, Tim Burton, Jason Reitman, Terry Gilliam, Spike Jonze, Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, Rachel Weisz, Hilary Swank, Josh Brolin, Kirsten Dunst, Rita Wilson, and Vin Diesel.

For more information and a complete schedule on LA Shorts Fest visit www.LAShortsFest.com.