Tuesday, September 1, 2015

12th Annual DC Shorts Film Festival Returns, September 10-20


From our friends at DC Shorts...

12th Annual DC Short Film Festival & Screenplay Competition Returns, September 10-20

Screening the best shorts from around the world

Dubbed “Coolest Short Film Festival” by MovieMaker Magazine, and voted “Best Film Fest” by Washington City Paper for the fourth time, DC Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition heads into its 12th year of screening the best short films from around the world. This year, judges selected 125 films and six screenplays pared down from over 1200 entries received from 56 countries. 

In all, 24 nations will be represented including nine German films, which will be showcased in a special event called Das Biergarten (more information below). The 11-day event will include film screenings of shorts in every conceivable genre and style, Q&As, filmmaker workshops and parties all located within a five-block radius in the Penn Quarter/Gallery Place neighborhood in downtown Washington, DC. For those unable to view the films in person, most of the selections will be available through a secure online portal accessible through a computer, tablet, smartphone or Roku box as part of the DC Shorts Online Film Festival.

Highlights/Special Information:

Films: Films range in subjects and genres but all are shorts, two to 30 minutes long. This year, 14 unique film showcases screen something for everyone in 90-minute programs including a mix of dramas, animation, comedies, documentaries and experimental films. Filmmaker Q&As will follow most screenings. See details below

Special Screenings: There will be several special film screenings including Free Family Shows hosted at eight different DC Public Libraries, Free Lunchtime Shows, a unique collection of LGBT Shorts, a special date night program analyzing Modern Relationships, the Best of Sunderland Film Festival (see details below) and the annual Best Of DC Shorts Showcases.  

Filmmaker Workshops: DC Shorts presents seminars for filmmakers of all skill levels in subjects ranging from sound design to film editing to distribution. See details below.

Screenplay Competition: Returning this year will be the DC Shorts Screenplay Competition where the audience is privy to a table reading of 6 selected screenplays for which they will then vote. The audience-selected winner receives $2,000 to shoot their project and automatic entry for their completed film to screen at DC Shorts 2016. This year, finalists come from all over the country.
See details below.

Best of Sunderland Film Festival: This past year, DC Shorts facilitated the organization of the first short film festival in Sunderland, England - one of DC’s sister cities and the ancestral home of George Washington. This year, DC Shorts will present the Best of Sunderland Film Festival, screening the short films our neighbors across the pond selected as their favorites. More below.

All-Access Festival Pass: The ALL-ACCESS FESTIVAL PASS allows entry into every screening, party, workshop - even the Best of DC Shorts! It also includes the following:

• Priority seating at all screenings - you get in first!

• Priority entry to all parties - you get in first!

• DC Shorts T-shirt

• Swag bag (while supplies last)

• Access to the DC Shorts Online Film Festival

Purchase online or at theater venues for $100.

Parties: DC Shorts Film Festival and Screenplay Competition would not be complete without their parties, celebrating filmmakers and audience members alike. Tickets for the opening night weekend, City View Party will feature great views, light refreshments, and special drink selections. New this year, Das Biergarten (Goethe-Institut) will celebrate nine German short films in the festival. More below.

What:

DC Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition - 125 short films from 24 countries, special showcases, competitions and parties. A full list of films, showcases and events are listed online at www.dcshorts.com.
Tickets are limited and are $12 online, and $15 at the venue.

Where:

Film Screenings:
Landmark E Street Cinema: 555 11th Street, NW, WDC
U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theater: 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, WDC
See other events below for location details.

When:

September 10-20 - Website (www.dcshorts.com) for full schedule.


DC Shorts Screenplay Competition
The DC Shorts Screenplay Competition will be held at the U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theater on Friday, September 18, 7-9:30 PM. Tickets are limited and are $12 online, and $15 at the venue. Meet the writers after the reading at the complimentary wine and cheese reception hosted by Barefoot Wines and Irish Dairy Board.

Parties

Parties are 21+ only.
Light refreshments, special selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.

Das Biergarten (NEW!)
Celebrate nine German short films at this special event. Enjoy German snacks, beers, and specialty cocktails while dancing to G-Pop or watching selected shorts in the theater.
Friday, September 11, 9-11 PM
Goethe-Institut, 812 7th Street NW (Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro)
Tickets: $20 online or box office, no door sales.


Annual City View Party
Celebrate opening weekend under the stars atop a roof deck with live musical performance by Ocho de Bastos.
Saturday, September 12, 9-11 PM
Carroll Square, 975 F Street, NW (Metro Center)
Tickets: $20 online or box office, no door sales.


Filmmaker Workshops

Filmmaker Workshops will be presented at two levels - emerging and established filmmakers - and topics range from fundraising to film festivals to sound design and more.

Workshops will be held at Landmark E Street Cinema. Full schedule and topics can be found on website. Events are free. Space is limited and seating priority to be granted to filmmakers in the competition. Reservations required and can be made at www.dcshorts.com or box office. 


Best of Sunderland Film Festival

Best of Sunderland Film Festival is a special showcase to honor DC Shorts’ organization of the first short film festival in Sunderland, England this past year. Sunderland, England is DC’s sister city and the ancestral home of George Washington. The special evening will feature SSFF’s jury and audience award winning films as well as a special guest, Rebecca Burdon, SSFF Festival Manager.
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 PM
Landmark E Street Cinema
Tickets are limited, and are $12 online and $15 at the venue.


DC Shorts Online Film Festival

Over 80 films can be screened during the event week (September 10-20) on any computer, most mobile devices and Roku boxes. After purchasing, DC Shorts will email a unique code and link to online festival website.

Tickets available online: $30 or $15 if purchased with tickets for any theatrical showcase.

Social Media

#dcshorts15

Event Information

More info can be found at www.dcshorts.com or by calling 202-393-4266.