By Robert Goldrich
This poignant spot presents a succession of hiding places such as under a bed, perched on a tree, to under the covers with a teddy bear–from the perspective of the child who’s hiding. The action unfolds to the tune of the alphabet song (“A-B-C-D-E-F-G…”).
A super poses the question, “Where would you hide if you were 10 years old?” Subsequent supers tell us whom we’re hiding from–a father who was looking for you, like he looked for you last night, and the night before that. “And what if he was angry?”
Accompanying the latter super is a POV of hiding in a garage. Through a partially opened garage door, we see a man pick up a bicycle and throw it in anger.
The opening question is then repeated, asking us where we would hide if we were 10 years old. At that point, the camera places us inside a cupboard which closes, casting the spot and us in darkness.
Supers then read, “Child abuse. You can ignore it. You can deny it. But you can’t hide from it.”
An end tag reveals the logo of the PSA’s sponsor, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), along with its website address (www.mspcc.org).
“Hide” was directed and edited by Joel Walker for Hill Holliday, Boston. Walker is a Hill Holliday staffer who edits out of its in-house post arm Bubble. The job was produced through Boston-based shop Accomplice.
The Hill Holliday core creative team consisted of executive creative director Kevin Moehlenkamp, creative director/art director Doug Gould and creative director/writer Ernie Schenck.
The spot is slated to air in Massachusetts markets later this spring.
AFI Fest Unveils Grand Jury Award Winners
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced the Grand Jury Award winners and Special Mentions for AFI Fest 2024. The Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action Short, Documentary Short and Animated Short will be eligible for the 2024 Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short Academy Awardsยฎ. This yearโs jury was comprised of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, film programmer Nora Bernard and comedian, actor, filmmaker, podcaster and author Paul Scheer.
Hereโs a rundown of Grand Jury winners and Special Jury mentions:
Grand Jury Prize โ Live Action Short
TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA (DEUX PERSONNES รCHANGEANT DE LA SALIVE) (DIR Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh)
Jury Statement: โAt a commendable 36 minutes, this film illustrates how desire and yearning can clash in a capitalistic society while showcasing queerness as commonplace.โ
Grand Jury Prize โ Documentary Short
LAND OF LOST TOYS (DIR Nicholas Stachurski)
Jury Statement: โThis revealing documentary challenges our conceptions and explores the humanity of a group of people in Detroit who fight not only for their survival but also for companions who canโt on their own.โ
Grand Jury Prize โ Animated Short
HUMANTIS (DIR Paris Baillie)
Jury Statement: โHUMANTIS is a stunning work of art that delves into the complexities and challenges of change and the unexpected beauty that emerges from self-transformation and acceptance. The stop motion breathes new life into an otherworldly visual narrative, showcasing the depths of a vibrant imagination and skillful... Read More