Aspen Film announced today the members of 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 ten Competition programs, including the Oscar-qualifying categories of Best Animation, Best Comedy, Best Drama, and Best Short Short. Their decisions will be announced at an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 11. The jury includes:
* Acclaimed actress Meg Ryan, known for her versatility and natural charm in every role she plays, whether comic (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail) or dramatic (Courage Under Fire, Promised Land, When a Man Loves a Woman).
* 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.
* 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.
* Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge (Chiefs, They Killed Sister Dorothy, The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner). Mr. Junge’s short documentary Come Back to Sudan shared the Shortsfest 2008 Audience Award.
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,” says 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.
Tickets for Aspen Film’s Shortsfest 2010, which will take place at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale, are available at Aspen Show Tickets at the Wheeler Opera House, through www.aspenshowtickets.com, or by calling 970.920.5770.
The Official Shortsfest Program Guide is available at www.aspenfilm.org or in print at the Wheeler Opera House, the Aspen Film office, and inserted in the Aspen Times Weekly.
Aspen Shortsfest is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Colorado Council on the Arts, the City of Aspen, the Town of Basalt, The Aspen Times, Aspen Magazine, Viceroy Snowmass, 42 Below Vodka, the Sky Hotel, Hotel Jerome, Aspen Public Radio, American National Bank, and the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media.
About Aspen Film
ORGANIZATION
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. Internationally recognized, Aspen Film organizes a major film event in every season, along with an extensive education program:
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.
