Aspen Film announced the members serving on the international competition jury for Aspen Shortsfest 2010, April 6-11. These noted film professionals will attend the festival to award cash and other prizes in several categories to films screening in the 10 competition programs, including the Oscar-qualifying categories of Best Animation, Best Comedy, Best Drama, and Best Short. Judges’ decisions will be announced at an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 11. The jury includes:
o Actress Meg Ryan whose range encompasses both the comic (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail) and dramatic (Courage Under Fire, Promised Land, When a Man Loves a Woman).
o Producer Sarah Siegel-Magness, managing partner and co-founder (with husband Gary Magness) of Smokewood Entertainment. Their most recent production, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and received Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
o Feature screenwriter David Arata (Brokedown Palace, Spy Game, with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt), who received an Oscar nomination for Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men, starring Clive Owen.
o Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge (Chiefs, They Killed Sister Dorothy, The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner). Junge’s short documentary Come Back to Sudan shared the Shortsfest 2008 Audience Award.
Creative consultations
In addition to its best of category awards, Aspen Shortsfest will introduce Creative Consultations, professional opportunities for a selection of winning Shortsfest finalists who demonstrate artistic distinction in writing-directing, documentary, editing, and cinematography.
These filmmakers will have access to accomplished film industry professionals in their field, including one of Escape Artists’ producing principals (Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black, Steve Tisch), cinematographer John Bailey ASC, editor Carol Littleton ACE, and documentary filmmaker Greg Barker (Sergio). Additionally, one finalist will have the opportunity to create a development deal with producer Daniel Dubecki (Up in the Air, the upcoming Passion Play, with Mickey Rourke.)
“At this juncture in their careers, short filmmakers seek direct contact with professionals at the top of their game,” said Aspen Film executive director Laura Thielen. “By connecting them to the industry in a meaningful way, we enhance Aspen Shortsfest’s mission to foster the creative development of new film voices.”
In addition to the international competition jury awards, outstanding Shortsfest films will also be recognized with the Los Angeles chapter of BAFTA’s (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) annual Award for Excellence, as well as the Ellen Award and Youth Jury Prize, both determined by local juries.
Established in 1979, Aspen Film is one of Colorado’s most active film arts organizations, presenting more than 200 programs and featuring dozens of guest speakers throughout the year.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More