I have covered many short film festivals, from CineVegas to Sundance, and I must say that it was a true pleasure to attend last night’s offering from the LA Short Film Festival! Held this year at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theaters in Hollywood, I found the setting to be much more intimate in contrast to past events held at bigger venues.
This year’s mini-masterpieces consisted of a wide variety of themes, from a “jilted lover’s extreme revenge”, to a “geek’s transformational wristwatch.”
Here is a list of last night’s shorts in no particular order:
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| Has-Been: The Ballad of Benjamin BeaneComedy / USA / 20 min. When his former co-star, a puppet, is kidnapped a has-been TV star embarks on a rescue mission to save his only friend in the world. Director: Christopher Mello
Producer: Neeki Moatazedi
Writer: Christopher Mello |
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| Multiple ChoiceComedy / Australia / 5 min. A desperate lie spirals out of control for three hapless students as they try to outwit their lecturer. Director: Michael Goode
Producer: Karen Watson
Writer: Ian Thomson |
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| CommittedDrama / USA / 10 min. Newlyweds display their different levels of commitment in their fiery marriage. Director: Daniel M. Kalai
Producer: Daniel M. Kalai
Writer: Daniel M. Kalai |
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| Emilia EckleComedy / USA / 7 min. Emilia Eckle and Tom’s first date is beyond their wildest dreams. Destiny shines favorably on these two nerds in love. Or does it? Director: Alyssa McClelland
Producer: Kate Hickey
Writer: Alyssa McClelland |
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| An Evening with Emery LongComedy / USA / 13 min. Emery Long has planned the perfect evening for his first date with the office hottie but soon realizes things might not turn out as he imagined. Director: Brad DeMarea
Producer: Laura Szymber
Writer: Brad DeMarea |
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| Cowboy DreamsComedy / USA / 7 min. A retired gunfighter is plagued by a recurring nightmare of his formerly violent life. Starring comedian Bill Engvall. Director: Paul DeNigris
Producer: Steve Briscoe, Laura DeNigris
Writer: Steve Briscoe |
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| The WatchDrama / United States / 21 min. An unappreciated and disliked TV station worker has a reversal of fortune with the impulsive purchase a mystical watch. Director: Mu Sun
Producer: Mu Sun, Richard Khouri
Writer: Mu Sun |
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| The Action Hero’s Guide To Saving LivesAction/Adventure / USA / 15 min. When lives are on the line, when there’s danger at every turn, when clichés run amuck, the best thing to do is call action hero Ace Mulligan! Director: Justin Lutsky
Producer: Justin Lutsky, Clint Carmichael, Keegan Wilcox
Writer: Brett Simmons, Opie Cooper |
Stay tuned to ThecounT.com for more coverage of the LA Short Fest, including interviews with the stars of “Committed” and “The Watch” and a special “surprise encounter” with cult filmmaker/ actor Tommy Wiseau and his co-star Greg Sestero from “The Room.”