Aspen Film announced today the International Competition finalists invited to screen at Aspen Shortsfest 2012, April 10-15, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film. Marking its 20th Anniversary, the festival has honored the work and creators of a ground-breaking and often career-making medium that is largely unavailable to general audiences.
Close to 3,300 films from around the world were considered, indicating a twenty percent increase over last year. The Aspen Shortsfest International Competition, a qualifying festival for the Oscar’s short film awards, will feature 79 short films representing thirty countries. From a powerful 40-minute Academy Award winner to a 45-second amuse bouche, Shortsfest will showcase a vibrant array of comedy, drama, animation and documentaries.
Program Director, George Eldred notes, “It’s once again time for our annual banquet of short cinema, bringing together international filmmakers and audiences to celebrate a unique art form, one that allows moviemakers to give free reign to their imagination, passion and curiosity. Each of our eleven International Competition programs serves up a richly varied sampler plate chock-full of engaging stories and the filmmakers who tell them.”
This year’s crop of films touch on reoccurring themes from outdoor adventure, heroes, artists, and romance to social change, the environment, loss, and the future. Shortsfest will also screen seven new films by Colorado filmmakers, including two world premieres. The recognizable (Judi Dench, Martin Freeman, Tom Hollander, Helena Bonham Carter) and emerging alike will bring amusement, imagination and inspiration from the screen to audiences over this six-day festival.
TO VIEW THE SHORTSFEST 2012 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAM GUIDE: CLICK HERE
ASPEN SHORTSFEST 2012 INDEX OF TITLES(As of 3.14.2012)
“200 Minutes” Program 4
“’92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card” Program 4
A Chjร na (The Plain)” Program 3
” A House Divided (Mohammed El Kurd)” Program 6
” Abuelas (Grandmothers)” Program 2
” All Inclusive” Program 4
” Another Bullet Dodged” Program 6
” The Applicant” Program 8
” The Arm” Program 10
” Armadingen” Program 1
” As You Were” Program 5
” Bella Fleace Gave A Party” Program 3
” Can Do: The Legacy of Jimmie Heuga” Program 1
” CatCam” Program 2
” The Centrifuge Brain Project” Program 3
” The Chair” Program 8
” A Curious Conjunction of Coincidences” Program 7
” Daddy Issues” Program 1
” Dark Side of the Lens” Program 4
” The Day I Turned into a Ghost” Program 8
” The Day the Whistle Went Off” Program 1
” Do Over” Program 7
” Elliott Erwitt: ‘I Bark at Dogs'” Program 8
” Ernesto Program 11
” Even Gods” Program 9
” Eyes on the Stars” Program 9
” A Family Man” Program 3
” Felix” Program 10
” Finale” Program 1
” First Match” Program 6
” Floyd the Android: Dim Bulb” Program 11
” Floyd the Android: Teleporter” Program 11
” Friend Request Pending” Program 5
” The Genius from Quintino” Program 2
” The Gruffalo’s Child” Program 11
” Guest” Program 2
” Hanuman Airlines: Fly Over Everest” Program 8
” Happy Voodoo” Program 6
” The Heist” Program 10
” Hellion” Program 6
” Hilary’s Straws” Program 6
” The House” Program 10
” Installation” Program 9
” Interception” Program 8
” Kahānikār (The Storyteller)” Program 11
” Kin” Program 1
” L Train” Program 9
” Los Escualos: Young Chilean Kayakers of Patagonia” Program 4
” Lunch Date” Program 9
” Lunch in Lima” Program 7
” Meet Mr. Toilet” Program 5
” The Monster of Nix” Program 6
” Mr. Christmas” Program 7
” The North London Book of The Dead” Program 10
” Ochre and Ink” Program 3
” One Day Program 11
” The Op Shop” Program 9
” Out Living It” Program 9
” Out of Erasers” Program 10
” Persimmon” Program 5
” pl.ink!” Program 11
” Priceless Things” Program 5
” Remake” Program 6
” Reunion” Program 8
” Romance” Program 5
” The Runaway” Program 8
” Saving Face” Program 7
” A Short Film About Ice Fishing” Program 2
” Song of the Spindle” Program 3
” Superman, Spiderman or Batman” Program 7
” To R.P. Salazar, with Love” Program 2
” Turning a Corner” Program 7
” Ursus” Program 2
” Veronika” Program 3
” The Voorman Problem” Program 10
” Vulture Culture” Program 4
” We Love Our Clients” Program 2
” When You Cross the Line (Gil Gutlick)” Program 10
Tickets go on sale March 26 and will be available at the Wheeler Opera House box office (all screenings), The Blend Coffee Company (Carbondale screenings only) and through aspenshowtix.com. To charge tickets by phone call 970.920.5770.
Aspen Shortsfest 2012 Sponsors: The City of Aspen, Les Dames d’Aspen, The Aspen Times, Aspen Public Radio, Stella Artois, The Hotel Jerome, Sky Hotel
Aspen Shortsfest 2012 Media Partners: 303 Magazine, Aspen Daily News, Denver Westword, Jack FM, KDNK, KSNO/KUUR, KSPN, Plum TV, Radio 1190, SKOLLIE ASPEN, Yelp.com.
About Aspen Film. Established in 1979, Aspen Film is one of Colorado’s most active film arts organizations, presenting dynamic programs and featured guest artists throughout the year. Internationally recognized, Aspen Film organizes a major film event in every season, along with an extensive education program: Aspen Filmfest, Academy Screenings, Aspen Shortsfest, and Film Educates. With a mission to enlighten, enrich, educate, and entertain through film, Aspen Film stimulates thought, encourages dialogue, and broadens understanding of our world and ourselves through the diverse spectrum of ideas presented by filmmakers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.aspenfilm.org.