International Competition

Alagados
Music opens surprising doors for 23-year-old Renato, who gets a new lease on life when he joins a percussion group. Step beyond statistics and into the life and dreams of a young Brazilian determined to beat the odds. (Sylvia Johnson, USA/Brazil, 23 min.)

It's My Turn
In this valentine to movie magic, a group of children with limited pocket change but abundant ingenuity pool their pennies to enrich their imaginations. (Ismet Ergün, Turkey/ Germany, 11 min.)

John and Karen
A cup of tea and some biscuits on the settee. And, oh yes, a polar bear and a penguin. (Matthew Walker, UK, 4 min.)

Left in Baghdad
A sensitive portrait of a 32-year-old husband and father, an Iraq war veteran being sent home from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and facing the first day of the rest of his life. (Peter Jordan & John Kane, USA, 12 min.)

Plymptoon: Boomtown
Based on Jules Feiffer’s song and sung by the Android Sisters, Bill Plympton’s first animated film is a musical about a subject that remains amazingly pertinent 25 years later. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1983, 6 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

Plymptoon: The Wiseman
To create this film’s wacky rant, Bill Plympton researched Hare Krishna and New Age Living brochures, and even used dialogue from soap operas. One of MTV’s most popular interstitials ever. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1990, 5 min.)

Sikumi (On the Ice)
Guiding his dog sled across the austere Arctic snowscape, an Inuit hunter inadvertently witnesses a crime. He soon discovers the path to righting the wrong is more slippery than it first appears. (Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, USA, 15 min.)

Cherries
A group of unruly teenage schoolboys is oblivious to much beyond their disruptive horseplay. But they're about to be assigned a lesson they will never forget. (Tom Harper, UK, 15 min.)

Dog
A wry mini-meditation memorializing the passing of one boy's best friend. (Hermann Karlsson, UK, 1 min.)

Elegy for the Elswick Envoy
Artist Nancy Willis's fond chronicle of her quest to fi nd just the right resting place for her car - a trusty, but rusty, friend. A heart-warming double portrait of a unique vehicle and its plucky owner. (Nancy Willis, UK, 24 min.)

The Last American Ski Bum - Bumps Jackson
The mayor, the sheriff, the lift operators... everyone knows Bumps, Aspen legend and last of a dying breed. (Charles Agar, USA, 9 min.)

Lost in Snow
Latvian animator Vladimir Leschiov (Insomnia, SF05) applies his unique deadpan surrealism to the frigid and solitary pastime of ice fishing. (Vladimir Leschiov, Latvia, 8 min.)

Pig and Shakespeare
In this lighthearted look at the seductive power of art, a young farmer, distracted by the antics of two strangers in a neighboring field, crashes his tractor and loses a piglet, but discovers the Bard. (Geon Kim, South Korea, 21 min.)

Plymptoon: Your Face
As a second-rate crooner sings about the beauties of his lover’s face, his own morphs into the most surreal shapes and contortions possible. The music was sung by a woman and then slowed down to sound like a man's voice. Introducing what would become Bill Plympton’s signature style, this was a 1988 Academy Award nominee for Best Animation. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1987, 3 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

Plymptoon: The Exciting Life of a Tree
What does life look like from a tree’s point of view? Apparently, it’s a daily struggle with bugs, beavers, and other wildlife – not to mention those annoying humans always trying to cut you down. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1998, 7 min.)

One Bridge to the Next
Navigating riverbanks, bridges, and alleyways, Dr. Jim Withers and his team provide a lifeline to Pittsburgh’s homeless. This stirring documentary illuminates the complexity of homelessness and the tireless efforts of a visionary doctor to create dignity for those living on the streets. From the director and producer of Trevor, SF94. (Kim A. Snyder, USA, 33 min.)

Plymptoon: The Fan and the Flower
A stylistic departure from his other shorts, this is the tender tale story of a ceiling fan and a flowerpot in love…so close and yet so far. Narrated by Paul Giamatti. Screened at Shortsfest 2006. (Bill Plympton, USA, 2005, 7 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

The Receiver
In this poignant modern-life tale from the outskirts of the former Soviet Union, a lonely cab driver’s off-hours hobby takes an unpredictable twist. (Anne Devereux, Kazakhstan/ USA, 14 min.)

Return to Labradoria
Unlucky in love, and stuck in a dead-end job, Jacques sets off for the Planet Labradoria to retrieve a special long-lost childhood friend in this charmingly offbeat tale. (Diego Ongaro & Thomas Pousson, France, 23 min.)

Salvador
A child playing hide and seek with his father on a crowded train triggers unexpected consequences for all the passengers aboard. (Abdelatif Hwidar, Spain, 11 min.)

Speed of Life
Speed of Life Meet Amy Purdy, a competitive snowboarder with an amazing story. Jeff Lester (The Last Real Cowboys, SF00) returns with a surprising portrait of a young athlete whose spirit can only be called inspirational. (Jeff Lester, USA, 9 min.)

Their First Journey
A nervous new father takes his first excursion with his tenmonth- old daughter. He’s outfi tted for all eventualities – or so he thinks. (Grégoire Sivan, France, 10 min.)

Aquarium
At 15, David and his two buddies are the youngest members of an aquarium society. They’re en route to a meeting, but David harbors a secret he's reluctant to share in this bittersweet ode to adolescence and animals. (Rob Meyer, USA, 17 min.)

Brackish Water
A teenage girl and her mother's new boyfriend meet for the fi rst time at the family’s summer cottage. When the mother goes out, the two are left to get to know each other. (David Reiss-Andersen, Norway, 20 min.)

The Champ
After one too many fights, 17-year-old Fatima finds the one place where she can punch as hard as she wants - a local boxing club, where her coach shows that being a fighter is not just about boxing, it's about life. (Peter Jordan, USA, 6 min.)

Lapsus
The Nun's Story meets Duck Amuck in this goofy, abstract, and downright metaphysical animation. (Juan Pablo Zaramella, Argentina, 4 min.)

Not Available Today
In this playful urban fairytale from Gustavo Taretto (Sidewalls, SF06), a shy "wallflower" goes to architectural extremes to avoid attracting attention. (Gustavo Taretto, Argentina, 8 min.)

Plymptoon: How to Kiss
In Bill Plympton‘s manically bizarre imagination, a kiss is not just a kiss. This elastic musing on smooching is surely one of the wackier "how to" films ever made. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1989, 7 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

The Second Line
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a man living in a FEMA trailer resorts to extreme measures to get by when his savings are stolen. An unflinching look at the devastation wrought by the storm, told through the perseverance of one survivor. (John Magary, USA, 20 min.)

Wrestling
Iceland's national sport requires some unusual maneuvers. And sometimes those dynamics move beyond the wrestling arena. A love story about ordinary guys. (Grímur Hákonarson, Iceland, 21 min.)

Freeheld
Detective Laurel Hester spent 25 years investigating tough cases, protecting the rights of victims, and putting her life on the line. She never expected that in the last year of her life, after she was diagnosed with cancer, her fi nal battle for justice would be the struggle to transfer her pension to her domestic partner. From political drama to quiet personal moments, this year’s richly deserved Oscar® winner, Freeheld, offers a nuanced, deeply moving study of a grassroots fight for justice. (Cynthia Wade, USA, 38 min.)

La Corona (The Crown)
Beauty is queen in Colombia, especially at the El Buen Pastor women’s prison. Despite the warden’s doubts, every year the prison allows the inmates to stage a prison-wide beauty pageant. Celebrity judges are brought in, national media cover the event, evening gowns are donated, and the contestants learn how to dance, walk, and talk like proper beauty queens. Academy Award® nominee La Corona (The Crown) offers a lively, funny, and touching portrait of women behind bars who continue to dream. (Amanda Micheli & Isabel Vega, Columbia/USA, 40 min.)

The Beloved Ones
Two personal African stories form the core of this visually poetic documentary from the director of Success with Sweet Peas (SF04). (Samantha Moore, UK, 6 min.)

Irinka and Sandrinka
Grandmother Irene, of Russian nobility, lived through the fall of the czar. To granddaughter Sandrine, Russia was a distant fairytale. A lifetime of momentous history and imaginings enliven this colorful family chronicle. (Sandrine Stoïanov & Jean-Charles Finck, France/Belgium, 16 min.)

Plymptoon: Guard Dog
Why do dogs bark at such innocent creatures like pigeons and squirrels? What are they so afraid of? In this Oscar nominated short, Bill Plympton answers that eternal question. This, the first of his “helpful dog” portraits, screened at Shortsfest 2005. (Bill Plympton, USA, 2004, 6 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

Silent Snow
Sarah and Pipaluk are two spunky young girls living in Greenland, a breathtaking expanse of ice and ocean. But their far northern town is literally melting and, with it, their families' way of life. Greenlanders have many different words for snow but they don't yet have a word for this new reality. (Jan van den Berg, The Netherlands, 14 min.)

Taua (War Party)
A sensory-rich journey through the ancient Maori forest, where a young man's act of compassion reveals the true nature of leadership. (Tearepa Kahi, New Zealand, 15 min.)

Unexpected Company?
Enjoy a wonderful summer evening by the sea: a delicious dinner, a drink on the terrace, and weather that gets warmer and warmer…. (Per Carleson, Sweden, 4 min.)

Waves
It's a hot, busy day at the beach. A pretty mother asks a gypsy boy to watch her young son while she takes a quick dip. A surprising twist of fate presents the young man with an unexpected opportunity. But people aren't always as they seem. (Adrian Sitaru, Romania, 17 min.)

The Wednesdays
When an elderly couple makes an inadvertent discovery, they're able to reignite the love they'd almost forgotten. This witty, insightful film will resonate with anyone who yearns to disrupt life's predictable rhythm. (Conor Ferguson, Ireland, 14 min.)

Force 1 TD
Carmine needs a new pair of sneakers for a very special occasion. In this lively New York comedy, three good friends spend the day trying to find him the perfect footwear. (Randy Krallman, USA, 11 min.)

Lavatory Lovestory
Love is always sudden - you never know when or where it might strike. A sweet tale from the animator of At the Ends of the Earth and The God (SF97 & SF03). (Konstantin Bronzit, Russia, 9 min.)

On the Line
A shy security guard spends his days observing others, including a young bookstore clerk. He looks for ways to connect with her on the commuting line they share. Then one evening she appears on the train with another guy... (Reto Caffi, Germany/Switzerland, 30 min.)

Pickin' and Trimmin'
At a rural North Carolina barbershop, the atmosphere is laidback, the conversation free, and the music a cut above the rest. An engagingly genuine slice of old-time Americana. (Matt Morris, USA, 23 min.)

Pika Pika, The Lightning Doodle Project
A whimsical dance of light and life through parks, train tracks, schools, and Tokyo Bay. (Takeshi Nagata & Kazue Monno, Japan, 4 min.)

Plymptoon: Nosehair
An exercise in how much emotion, humor and sex can be wrought from a single line. This constantly evolving visual riff is as amusing as it is clever. Screened at Shortsfest 1995. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1994, 7 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

Spider
Jack and Jill are always hurting each other’s feelings. But like Mum said, "It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye." Truly outrageous. (Nash Edgerton, Australia, 9 min.)

X
A father and daughter set out on the open road across a vast expanse of desert. Their road trip leads them on an unexpected journey where they confront the past, gain a deeper understanding of each other and nobly attempt to right a wrong. X is actor Josh Brolin's (No Country for Old Men) directorial debut and stars daughter Eden and Vincent Riverside. (Josh Brolin, USA, 16 min.)

Not Available Today
In this playful urban fairytale from Gustavo Taretto (Sidewalls, SF06), a shy "wallflower" goes to architectural extremes to avoid attracting attention. (Gustavo Taretto, Argentina, 8 min.)

Plymptoon: Guide Dog
In the sequel to Guard Dog, Bill Plympton has our intrepid hero helping the blind - with twisted results. Screened at Shortsfest 2007. (Bill Plympton, USA, 2006, 6 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

Taxi?
This city's cab drivers have taken a course on kindness. But if you don’t make the grade, you won’t arrive at your destination. (Telmo Esnal, Spain, 5 min.) min.)

Chief
Tribal leader Semu is a brave and respected man, destined to govern his people. But when fate intervenes, he leaves Samoa to create a new, anonymous life in Honolulu. Then one day his past resurfaces and history threatens to repeat itself. (Brett Wagner, USA, 21 min.)

Life's Hard
Who will escape from whom in this funny tale that puts a bad driver behind the wheel and a carjacking thief in the passenger’s seat? (Gabriel Sirbu, Romania, 20 min.)

On the Line
A shy security guard spends his days observing others, including a young bookstore clerk. He looks for ways to connect with her on the commuting line they share. Then one evening she appears on the train with another guy...(Reto Caffi, Germany/Switzerland, 30 min.)

Pig and Shakespeare
In this lighthearted look at the seductive power of art, a young farmer, distracted by the antics of two strangers in a neighboring field, crashes his tractor and loses a piglet, but discovers the Bard. (Geon Kim, South Korea, 21 min.)

Just One Hour
What can you do in an hour? A woman’s surprising proposition to a complete stranger in a café sets in motion this intriguing drama of human yearning. (Virginie Peignien, France, 10 min.)

Come Back to Sudan
The last time Lado Jurkin, Mabior Mayom, and Deng Dau saw their home and families was when they were eight years old. Flash forward 18 years. Accompanied by their adoptive Colorado mother, Jean Wood, the three undertake an extraordinary journey back home to their villages in war-torn Sudan. (Daniel Junge & Patti Bonnet, USA, 29 min.)

Fish
This lyrically visual tone poem from director Alexander Kott (Photographer, SF99; The Scarecrow, SF00) follows a young boy’s wanderings as he fi nds wonder in his wintry playground. (Alexander Kott, Russia, 14 min.)

Peter and Ben
A droll snapshot of two friends who share a preference for living outside the fl ock. (Pinny Grylls, UK, 10 min.)

Rattlesnakes
A seemingly innocuous wardrobe purchase turns a middleaged car salesman’s world topsy-turvy in this laconic comedy about the importance of realizing your dreams, no matter how small. (Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson, Iceland, 23 min.)

Burley!
A young tetra seeking attention is drawn to a gang of adventure-loving fish who've invented a new extreme sport. How to gain their acceptance? Hey, dude! (Dave Edwardz & Gareth Cowen, Australia, 9 min.)

Cutlass
Parenthood can carry a hefty price tag. But when her daughter, Lacy, begs for an expensive gift, Robin discovers why giving in to your kids - once in a while - can be priceless. Virginia Madsen, Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning star. (Kate Hudson, USA, 15 min.)

Drowning River
In the mid-1950s, folksinger Katie Lee left Hollywood, discovered the canyonlands of Utah and Arizona, and befriended Edward Abbey and other members of the Monkey Wrench Gang. Trying to prevent the damming of Glen Canyon became her life's work. Historical footage, lively interviews, and Lee's music capture a time, a place, and a fierce spirit who champions that wild beauty. (ML Lincoln, USA, 20 min.)

Have You Ever Heard About Vukovar?
Tim, a decorated Iraq war vet, is en route to deliver a speech at his high school alma mater. Davor is the driver sent by the car service. In the space of a car ride, they discover they have more in common than they think. (Paolo Borraccetti, USA, 16 min.)

Last Time in Clerkenwell
Birds rule the world in animator Alex Budovsky's (Return I Will to Old Brazil, SF05) syncopated sequel to Bathtime in Clerkenwell (SF02). (Alex Budovsky, USA, 4 min.)

My Olympic Summer
A curiously resonant film about mothers, fathers, and internal and exterior events. (Daniel Robin, USA, 13 min.)

Plymptoon: Sex and Violence
A powder keg compendium of outrageous gags that push the boundaries of good taste and bad humor. Proof positive why Bill Plympton is a filmmaker who is admired and sought after all over the world. Screened at Shortsfest 1998. (Bill Plympton, USA, 1997, 8 min.) For nearly thirty years, Bill Plympton has been entertaining and outraging audiences around the world with his singular and humorous animated vision. He is an award-winning one-of-a-kind and we're delighted to screen a selection of his impressive opus.

The Sound of People
Standing on the brink, 18-year-old Stephen finds himself in the moment, pondering an outcome both tantalizing and terrifying. (Simon Fitzmaurice, Ireland, 8 min.)

Other Shortsfest Programs

Lounge Presentation
HD AND 4K PRODUCTION: Ramping Up for Ever Higher Resolution
Presented by Jeff Blauvelt of HD Cinema Mountain Chalet - Festival Lounge

This Lounge Presentation and discussion will explain current developments in Digital Cinema technology, and promises to sort out the current reality for filmmakers using Digital Cinema. There are amazingly affordable oppportunities for true HD production and now beyond that resolution into the 4K dimension. Innovative sensor technology has arrived and is functioning in a group of stunning new cameras. But what are the challenges on the set and in post production to work with these new formats?

Jeff Blauvelt founded HD Cinema in Los Angeles in 1999. He will offer insight and discuss some recent productions that have been using the new RED and XDCAM cameras recording to solid state memory. Directors, Producers, and Cinematographers and those who work with them are encouraged to share your experiences with this group and you will be better prepared for your next production.

Lounge Presentation
How To Get Your Short Film On iTunes & Shorts-TV
New online markets from Linda O. Olszewski, Co-Head of Global Acquisitions, Development & Podcasts for SHORTS INTERNATIONAL.

STREET MEDICINE AND THE SPIRIT OF ALBERT SCHWEITZER
Presented by Dr. Jim Withers

Dr. Jim Withers, whose life work is care for the homeless outside clinical settings, (aka "street medicine") is profiled in Aspen Shortsfest's premiere of the film One Bridge to the Next.  In 1992, Dr. Jim Withers dressed as a homeless person and began making "house calls" to the homeless. From that early work, and with extensive networking throughout the world, the field of "street medicine" has emerged. Today, healing efforts for this underserved population are underway in communities across the globe.

Dr. Withers teaches medicine that cannot be taught in established medical facilities, as U.S. medical students are able to experience the practice of third world medicine in their own cities. He will speak about the lessons learned from the streets and the social implications of the street medicine movement. Dr. Withers will also speak about the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, which has become a service-learning model in many cities throughout the United States. (Dr. Schweitzer was keynote speaker at Aspen's Goethe Bicentennial in 1949 and an inspiration for the creation of the Aspen Institute. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his humanitarian work in Africa and for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life."). Dr. Withers has served on the Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellowship board since its founding and will describe the value of the Fellowship to local communities. Dr. Wither's hope is that with increasing health care injustice in U.S. society, the spirit of direct service holds the promise of rediscovering the commitment to the wholeness of society.

DIRECTOR'S SPOTLIGHT: BILL PLYMPTON
Master Class With Bill Plympton
Two-time Oscar® nominee and perennial Shortsfest favorite Bill Plympton is our Director's Spotlight honoree. Known for his twisted humor and keen observations of the absurd in everyday life, Plympton has directed over 30 films, both animated shorts (How to Kiss, 25 Ways to Quit Smoking, Guide Dog) and full-length features, animated and live action (I Married a Strange Person, Hair High).

This afternoon Plympton will discuss his career as a steadfastly independent animator. (He once turned down a seven-figure offer from Disney.) He'll screen some of his classic shorts and music videos, offer a sneak peek at his brand-new feature, Idiots and Angels, and premiere his latest canine opus, Hot Dog. Plus he'll give a live-drawing demonstration, illustrating how he creates his characters and takes them to the big screen. In an increasingly computer-generated world, Plympton remains true to his signature hand-drawn style, making "cartoons" for thinking people who like to laugh.

BRITISH SHORTS PANORAMA
Britain's movie culture is no stranger to US screens. From the gritty social realism of Mike Leigh to the slapstick comedy of Mr. Bean to the high-octane action of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, British filmmakers revel in the world's variety and the power of movies to capture it. British short filmmakers are no exception. Shortsfest has invited Simona Marchegiani, film program manager with the British Council, to share a flavorful sampling of recent UK short fare, with comedies, dramas, documentary, and animation, including Oscar®-winning Six Shooter, the first film by acclaimed playwright Martin McDonagh (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), whose feature debut, In Bruges, opened in theaters this winter.

The Apology Line
Feeling guilty? This film is for you! The Apology Line blends the real-life phone-in apologies of people from all over the UK with evocative, Edward Hopper-like cityscapes. A visual scrapbook of moments that might otherwise pass us by is given new meaning by the sometimes funny, sometimes haunting, but always fascinating apologies. Prix UIP winner, Cork Film Festival 2007. (James Lee, UK, 2007, 10 min.)

Get Off My Land
A young couple's walk in the countryside leads to a confrontation with the landowner and an unlikely, primeval challenge. A startling twist on the subject of property (and firearm) rights. Festival screenings include 2007 Edinburgh Film Festival. (Douglas Ray, UK 2007, 5 min.)

Goodbye to the Normals
In this tongue-in-cheek short-short, six-year-old Magnus has decided to run away to America. His suitcase is packed, and the boat awaits ... but is this just another of his little games? 2007 Rushes Soho Shorts; Prix du Public, Opalcine, France. ( Jim Field Smith, UK, 2006, 4 min.)

Hooded
Out of work, out of money, and living in the worst part of town, layabout Marlon is reluctantly persuaded to play detective when he crosses paths with a dangerous gang. This dark comedy thriller sees Marlon swept into an urban old west, a world of deluded criminals, victimized shopkeepers and inept police officers. And all he wanted was an ice cream... Best Short Film, 2007 Newport International FIlm Festival. (Adam Randall, UK, 2007, 22 min.)

Juvenile
The wryly humorous story of a hapless single parent father with a streetwise teenage daughter on the day she brings home her new boyfriend, Juvenile explores the emotional tensions of a father not wanting his little girl to grow up, and conversely an adult's childish efforts to get his own way. Festival screenings include 2008 Sundance, 2008 Berlin International. (China Moo-Young, UK, 2007, 12 min.)

Like Me Only Better
This hand-drawn comedy about neuroses, Catholicism and Prozac whimsically illustrates the inner and outer worlds of the maddeningly indecisive Clive. Featuring the droll vocal talents of British comedian Robin Ince. Festival screenings include 2008 London Short Film Festival, upcoming 2008 Annecy Int'l Animated Film Festival. (Martin Pickles, UK, 2007, 5 min.)

The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island
Jaded 'nice guy of folk' Herb McGwyer reluctantly agrees to play a one-off exclusive gig on the remote Wallis Island, hosted by Charles, a bumblingly eccentric, reclusive lottery winner. As events unfold, Herb is taken on a quietly strange journey that ultimately re-ignites his passion for music. 2008 British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA)-Award Nominee; Best UK Short, 2007 Edinburgh Film Festival. (James Griffiths, UK, 2006, 25 min.)

Six Shooter
How can a day that begins with the death of your wife possibly get worse? Donnelly (Brendan Gleeson), on his train ride home, is about to find out... A dark, violent, but brutally funny comedy by one of the greatest contemporary Irish playwrights, Martin Mcdonagh (In Bruges), here making his film debut. Best Short Film, Live Action, 2006 Academy Awards, 2005 BAFTA Awards Nominee. (Martin McDonagh, UK-Ireland, 2004, 27 min.)

Smalltown Boy
Fifteen year old David has never felt at home where he lives. He's known since he was very young that he was different, and now, fed up with being shunned, David plans to show everyone that he's proud of who he is. A poignant look at the life of an outsider who finds the courage to be himself. Festival screenings include 2007 Amsterdam International Documentary Festival, 2007 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. (Moby Longinotto, UK, 2007, 13 min.)

Tokyo Jim
No survey of British humor would be complete without a trip to the loo! Jim, an English lawyer, is in Tokyo to finalize a very important deal. Invited for a celebratory post-signing drink by his cranky Japanese business partner, Jim agrees, although there is just one thing he needs to do before they leave... 2006 Turner Classic Movies Classic Shorts Competition Finalist; BBC Summer of British Film (shorts) Comedy season. (Jamie Rafn, UK, 2006, 7 min.)

Local Filmmakers Showcase 2008

Krispy Fresh – Skiing and snowboarding with a little bit of style. (Serafin Marciani, Basalt High School, 4 min.)

Lucy’s Shoes - There once was a girl with lots of little shoes & a big imagination.... (Hanna Kelly, Emory University, Aspen Film’s Workshop in Directing Movies with Lewis Teague, 3 min.)

The Vault– One man’s journey into the unexplainable. (Justin Owensby, 3 min.)

Anna’s Story - A life-changing incident in a 6 year olds life. (Katalin Domoszlay, Aspen Film’s Workshop in Directing Movies with Lewis Teague, 7 min.)

Yeah…No - Three guys deliberate ideas for the movie they want to make. (Van Wampler, UC Boulder, 6 min.)

Skate – Check out the skateboarders that hang at the Aspen Skate Park. (Leslie Gonzalez, Basalt High School, Aspen Film’s 2007 Latino Youth Filmmaking Project, 5min.)

Skiing the High Line – Welcome to the extreme of high altitude skiing. (Mike Marolt, 6 min.)

The Rose – Nothing stands in the way of love. (Robert Congdon, 3 min.)

Upstairs – An ode to the power of music. (Drew Matson, Glenwood Springs High School, 5 min.)

The Last Man Alive - A story of love & betrayal in a world torn by the threat of the dreaded AR-738’s (Brandon McDuffey, Colorado College, 2 min.)

A Castle Peak Perspective – Lou Dawson discusses the merits of new-school skiing while hiking and skiing 14,265” Castle Peak. (Mike Cuseo, 3 min.)

Feel Well – A day in the life of a hypochondriac. (Rene Cousineau, Colorado College, 6 min.)

The History of Lucha Libre – A history and reenactment of a cultural tradition. (Allen Sanchez, Rifle Middle School, Aspen Film’s 2007 Latino Youth Filmmaking Project, 4 min.)

Cancerous Romance - A tragic love story of a cigarette & a lung, addictive but in the end harmful to all. (Ben Fout, independently schooled in Glenwood Springs, 4 min.)

Andy Has a Glass Blowing Party – An artistic approach to the world of glass blowing. (Ethan Dean, 8 min.)

American Citizen – Listen up, the students have something to say. (Kathy Vega & Michael Muro, Roaring Fork High School & Rifle High School, Aspen Film’s 2007 Latino Youth Filmmaking Project, 2 min.)

Black Magic - Fatman Productions attempts to breath new life into the ski film genre through a unique blend of ski & concert footage. (Drew Lederer, 4 min.)

Nobody’s Home - Understand the challenge of maintaining a critical mass of locals in the resorts of the Rockies. (Laurel Garrett & Mark Harvey, 9 min. )

The Last American Ski Bum – Bumps Jackson - For 40 years Bumps Jackson has lived by his wits in Aspen doing whatever he can to survive as the last American ski bum. (Charles Agar, Aspen Film’s Workshop in Directing Movies with Lewis Teague, 9 min.)