Saturday, June 27, 2009
Best of the Fest
The votes are being tallied as we head into the final 24 hours of ShortFest films. What great films have you seen, deserving of the honors at tomorrow night's Closing Night Awards Gala?
Lost & Found
If you have lost or found any items at ShortFest, please call our main office to report it: 760-322-2930
Presently, festgoers are missing a Panasonic Lumux camera & reading glasses in a RayBan case. If you have any information, please call the number above.
Presently, festgoers are missing a Panasonic Lumux camera & reading glasses in a RayBan case. If you have any information, please call the number above.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Feelin' ShortFest
The first full day of ShortFest screenings went off without a hitch, with fabulous programs filling the day for eager crowds.
At Amazing Animation (to be played again on Sunday), Swiss director Marcel Hobi (Eyelash) & German director Alexander Pohl (Trickster) discussed the complexities of their vastly different techniques and stories.
At Boy Meets Girl Meets Boy, audiences were entertained by directorial behind-the-scenes stories of neuroscience student turned filmmaker Liliana Greenfield-Sanders who wanted to put her medical background to use (Adelaide), the accidental musical of Melvin Montalban (Cupid), the date-almost-gone-wrong pondering of Alyssa McClelland (Emilia Eckle), the feeling of relationship inevitability of Dahlia Devkota (Heartbreak Haiku), the inspiration from an awkward Japanese businessman for Jon Gilbert (Toshi) & Peter Besson's take on love at first sight (True Beauty This Night).
The filmmaker party went into the night at Top of the Chop, with Grant Sputore* (Legacy) bemoaning his learning curve on the buffet (always leave room for meat at a chop house), Tahitian filmmakers (Arioi Women) sharing heavenly-smelling Tahitian gardenias, and Andy Pearson (Souvenirs) kissing the feet of the news bearer who informed him that the Couplehood program was on Rush for Saturday. To top that, his actor promised to wear a Marilyn Monroe dress to the screening if one could be procured. In Palm Springs? I think we can work something out.
*Mr. Sputore would like it to be known that aside from his education at the buffet, he had a brilliant time and his filmmaker needs were exceeded and outshone his carnivorous ones.
At Amazing Animation (to be played again on Sunday), Swiss director Marcel Hobi (Eyelash) & German director Alexander Pohl (Trickster) discussed the complexities of their vastly different techniques and stories.
At Boy Meets Girl Meets Boy, audiences were entertained by directorial behind-the-scenes stories of neuroscience student turned filmmaker Liliana Greenfield-Sanders who wanted to put her medical background to use (Adelaide), the accidental musical of Melvin Montalban (Cupid), the date-almost-gone-wrong pondering of Alyssa McClelland (Emilia Eckle), the feeling of relationship inevitability of Dahlia Devkota (Heartbreak Haiku), the inspiration from an awkward Japanese businessman for Jon Gilbert (Toshi) & Peter Besson's take on love at first sight (True Beauty This Night).
The filmmaker party went into the night at Top of the Chop, with Grant Sputore* (Legacy) bemoaning his learning curve on the buffet (always leave room for meat at a chop house), Tahitian filmmakers (Arioi Women) sharing heavenly-smelling Tahitian gardenias, and Andy Pearson (Souvenirs) kissing the feet of the news bearer who informed him that the Couplehood program was on Rush for Saturday. To top that, his actor promised to wear a Marilyn Monroe dress to the screening if one could be procured. In Palm Springs? I think we can work something out.
*Mr. Sputore would like it to be known that aside from his education at the buffet, he had a brilliant time and his filmmaker needs were exceeded and outshone his carnivorous ones.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Opening Night!
One dead bunny, two new dogs, one questionable carton of milk, one questionable new toy request, one unfortunately missed test, two short-lived love affairs, one future affair riding on a bad introduction, one affair of the mind riding on an eyelash. Welcome to ShortFest & the night's first program!
The sold-out show was followed by a party at Wang's with a great mix of international filmmakers and local film lovers. Forget-Me-Not director Katia Grivot was happy to get over jet lag with an evening of great films, including the distinct French sense of humor expressed in Stop Requested & The Williams. Jeremy Brunjes (Birthdate) & Anna McGrath (Swings and Roundabouts), returning directors from last year's ShortFest, were happy to tell new-to-the-fest filmmakers about their experiences, including Honor filmmakers Jeremy Pommier & Sean Sullivan who were excited to have Palm Springs in their festival circuit.
Aussie director Erin White (FOUR) was happy to be screening her film here, as she explained that American audiences seem to be more appreciative of filmmakers' efforts. Irishman Declan Cassidy (Whatever Turns You On) said that American audiences like a good, straight-forward story without the need for heady subtext, and he promised his film would bring such laughs.
Students from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia took a break from studies in Singapore, including brother/sister filmmakers Jordan Schiele (Double Happiness) & Melanie Schiele (Delilah, Before). Ted Raimi & actress Suzanne Keilly (My Treat) talked about international perspectives and soaked up the lively vibes of fellow filmmakers.
ShortFest is full of great stories, onscreen & off. This is your chance to hear them firsthand!
The sold-out show was followed by a party at Wang's with a great mix of international filmmakers and local film lovers. Forget-Me-Not director Katia Grivot was happy to get over jet lag with an evening of great films, including the distinct French sense of humor expressed in Stop Requested & The Williams. Jeremy Brunjes (Birthdate) & Anna McGrath (Swings and Roundabouts), returning directors from last year's ShortFest, were happy to tell new-to-the-fest filmmakers about their experiences, including Honor filmmakers Jeremy Pommier & Sean Sullivan who were excited to have Palm Springs in their festival circuit.
Aussie director Erin White (FOUR) was happy to be screening her film here, as she explained that American audiences seem to be more appreciative of filmmakers' efforts. Irishman Declan Cassidy (Whatever Turns You On) said that American audiences like a good, straight-forward story without the need for heady subtext, and he promised his film would bring such laughs.
Students from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia took a break from studies in Singapore, including brother/sister filmmakers Jordan Schiele (Double Happiness) & Melanie Schiele (Delilah, Before). Ted Raimi & actress Suzanne Keilly (My Treat) talked about international perspectives and soaked up the lively vibes of fellow filmmakers.
ShortFest is full of great stories, onscreen & off. This is your chance to hear them firsthand!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Countries of attending filmmakers 
Other countries represented 
ShortFest 2009 begins!
It's here! ShortFest kicks off tonight with a delicious batch of Short & Sweet Comedies!
Have you planned your fest schedule? Do you have a balance of sticky, sweet & naughty? Are you keeping an eye on the stars?
Are you ready for ShortFest?!
Have you planned your fest schedule? Do you have a balance of sticky, sweet & naughty? Are you keeping an eye on the stars?
Are you ready for ShortFest?!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Help Bruce find good shorts!
The Desert Sun's feature reporter extraordinaire Bruce Fessier is taking requests for his ShortFest coverage. He's searching for 6 more films to review from the following 12 (click on the titles for more info):
Ink
Juiced and Jazzed
Kanada
Dog with Electric Collar
Tools 4 Fools
This Life
One of Those Days
1:0
Hove
Streak
Visiting
Broken Time
Help a man out! Comment here & on Bruce's MyDesert.com blog!
Stay on top of The Desert Sun's ShortFest coverage.
Ink
Juiced and Jazzed
Kanada
Dog with Electric Collar
Tools 4 Fools
This Life
One of Those Days
1:0
Hove
Streak
Visiting
Broken Time
Help a man out! Comment here & on Bruce's MyDesert.com blog!
Stay on top of The Desert Sun's ShortFest coverage.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
ShortFest 2009!
Read all about it here!
• 76 world premieres, 43 N.American premieres & 14 U.S. premieres!
• Star-studded films include directorial debuts by Demi Moore, Courtney Cox-Arquette & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (starring in next month's member screening, 500 Days of Summer)
• Films starring Danny Glover, Alfred Molina, Derek Jacobi
• Opening Night on June 23 highlights short & sweet comedies. Start the fest off right with some good laughs!
Remember, this is a an Academy Award qualifying fest, so expect to see our winners at next year's Oscars!
The full schedule goes online Sunday, June 14!
• 76 world premieres, 43 N.American premieres & 14 U.S. premieres!
• Star-studded films include directorial debuts by Demi Moore, Courtney Cox-Arquette & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (starring in next month's member screening, 500 Days of Summer)
• Films starring Danny Glover, Alfred Molina, Derek Jacobi
• Opening Night on June 23 highlights short & sweet comedies. Start the fest off right with some good laughs!
Remember, this is a an Academy Award qualifying fest, so expect to see our winners at next year's Oscars!
The full schedule goes online Sunday, June 14!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
PSIFS screening: Away We Go
Director Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road, American Beauty), writers Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida (McSweeney), actors John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Messina...
What did you think of this tale of two 30-somethings looking for the perfect place to settle down?
What did you think of this tale of two 30-somethings looking for the perfect place to settle down?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Behind the Scenes with casting director David Rubin
David Rubin will discuss his career in casting at the Rancho Mirage Libary tonight.
Come meet the man who introduced Nicole Kidman to America, who gave Marisa Tomei her Oscar-winning role, and who has worked with a variety of directors such as Anthony Minghella, Barry Sonnenfeld, Sydney Pollack, Baz Luhrmann, P.J. Hogan and Christopher Guest, just to name a few.
Did you attend? What did you think?
Come meet the man who introduced Nicole Kidman to America, who gave Marisa Tomei her Oscar-winning role, and who has worked with a variety of directors such as Anthony Minghella, Barry Sonnenfeld, Sydney Pollack, Baz Luhrmann, P.J. Hogan and Christopher Guest, just to name a few.
Did you attend? What did you think?
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