12th Annual DC Shorts Film Festival Starts Today

Eli Shapiro's That Friend You Hate

It's Show Short-Time!

Has it been 12 years already? The DC Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition got its start back in 2003; and in short order, became the premier showcase for short films in all of America. You can thank founder Jon Gann (and a myriad of hard-working employees & volunteers) for turning DC on its collective cinematic ear, every September since. This year's festival is jam-packed with 125 films (from 24 different countries) and gets underway today, through Sunday, September 20.

All 14 90-minute showcases will be shown at Landmark E Street Cinema, in addition to a number of workshops and other events. Click here to see the full schedule, and to purchase tickets. Short on cash? No worries, as this year's fest features four FREE Lunch Documentary Shows (40-minute programs beginning at noon, September 14-17th.) There's also an Online Festival ($15-30) which gives you access to 100+ films from the cozy confines of your own home (or office.)

Me? I like love to wait for the best of the best... known affectionately as "Best of." You can catch both Shows (A&B) at the US Navy Memorial on Saturday & Sunday, September 19-20. Each showcase costs only $12 to attend; and ambitious/diehard festival goers can see everything with their $100 all-access pass.

Showcase 1 gets underway at 7 PM tonight, followed by Showcase 2 at 9:30. Stick around for a special moderated Q&A with filmmakers after each showcase. You can also party like it's 1999 2003, by attending the Welcome Reception at Penn Social (open to filmmakers and All-Access pass holders) as well as other parties (click here for more information.)