The D.C. Short Film Festival offers 37 films this weekend, ranging “from a 56-second horror film to a 23-minute drama,” festival creator Jon Gann said. Lead by Gann and Gene Cowan, who also developed the local DC Film Salon, a resource center for local filmmakers, the festival will be held from Sept. 10-12 at Flashpoint Arts Center. The event will showcase the work of national and international filmmakers, including 15 from the Washington area, and allows those attending to discuss the films with the directors themselves.
In its first year, the festival includes films chosen from over 70 entries, all competing for four different prizes.
“We chose movies that had strong narrative, unique production values and interesting backstories,” Gann said.
Many of the directors plan to travel to the film festival in order to meet with other filmmakers and watch audiences’ reactions to the individual pieces.
“I just look for people to smile and enjoy themselves,” local director Liz Smith said. “I hope people take more of an interest in short films. I think you can say a lot with a short film.”
Smith’s contribution, entitled “Sipay Khorlo: The Wheel of Life,” follows a former Buddhist monk as he creates Tibetan sand paintings in Montana.
Not all the films are documentaries. Placed in six categories, such as “Just For Fun” and “Politics,” some, such as local director Paul Giannini’s film “Finished,” which was filmed in a Silver Spring, MD, parking garage, aren’t about anything at all.
The festival kicks off with a reception at Poste Brasserie on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. The party, featuring a cash bar and music by Omega Band, will provide an opportunity for audience members to meet the filmmakers. There will be three screenings at Flashpoint: 4 p.m., 7 p.m. 10 p.m., each including different films and a question and answer session after the show. There will also be an awards breakfast at Flashpoint on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m.
All of these events are nearby the Gallery Place Metro stop, which can be accessed through the red, yellow or green lines. One screening costs $12, while a pass for the entire weekend, including both receptions, is $30. For more information and a full schedule, go to www.dcshorts.com.
Poste Brasserie, 8th and F Streets, NW
Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW
