4th Annual Taos Shortz Film Fest, March 6-8, to Feature Short Films Including 10 from New Mexico
Press release 2/24/2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2011
Contact: Erica Asmus-Otero (505) 259-2202 Erica@griffinassoc.com
TAOS, NM —Taos will play host once again to the fourth annual Taos Shortz Film Festival – one of the most up and coming film festivals in the New Mexico, which will showcase more than 60 juried short films from 15 countries. The Festival is scheduled from Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011. Several juried short films were the brainchild of Taoseños and other New Mexicans, including writer/producer Allegra Huston (sister of actress Anjelica Huston).
According to Taos Shortz Film Fest founder Anna Cosentine, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of entries for 2011 over years past. This year she received 150 entries, which were juried and narrowed down to 60 films. That, compared to the Fest’s first year, when there were only 20 juried films and no panel discussions.
“In starting the Taos Shortz Film Fest, I thought it would be a boon to the community, not only so Taoseños could be exposed to a variety of subjects on indie filmmaking but to get cinematic arts back in Taos,” said Anna Cosentine, founder and president of Taos Shortz Film Fest. “It has always fascinated me how short filmmakers put so much money and time into telling a story, yet capturing an audience’s attention in only three minutes or so. I think the Festival gives Taoseños a sampling of what’s involved and what’s out there internationally when it comes to indie filmmaking.”
The jury takes into account everything from a film’s technical excellence, story line, and other guidelines to determine whether or not the film can proceed to the festival. Films are categorized into genres including documentary, dramatic fiction, comedy fiction, experimental and animation.
The Festival, which will be held at the Harwood Museum of Art, coincides with the Harwood’s New Mexorado art opening – highlighting the work of artists who reside between Albuquerque and Denver, Colorado.
Along with the screening of dozens of short films, the Festival will feature free panel discussions, a chance for film lovers and aspiring filmmakers to meet and ask questions of film professionals, networking parties and more. The awards ceremony concludes the Fest on March 6 at 5 p.m. All the award winning shorts will be shown at that screening.
Allegra Huston, who has lived in Taos for the past twelve years, will be part of a panel discussion on how she financed her short film, “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski,” which is having its world premiere at the Taos Shortz festival.
“It’s important for me to premiere my film in Taos since it’s not only my home but that of most of the people who created the film with me, and about a quarter of the launch crew (numbering nearly 900 people) who contributed money to make the film possible,” said Huston. “My advice to aspiring filmmakers is to know what you’re doing before you start – watch other good short films; be aware of cost implications before you start, and get excited about the project so others feel inspired to want to experience it as well. It’s very unlikely you’ll ever make money creating a short film; the goal should be to tell a story that you really love.”
Huston was able to finance “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski” thanks to contributions from New Mexicans and a number of other supporters, as well as a number of well-known celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and Larry Mullen (drummer of the Irish band U2).
Michael Grais, co-writer of the horror classic “Poltergeist,” will be also participating in a panel discussion along with a number of other directors, writers, producers and industry professionals.
Film activities begin at 7 p.m. on Friday with screenings of short films from seven countries. Then on Saturday, more short film programs will be shown from 9 a.m. to noon, which cater towards families and include panel discussions. Sunday wraps up with more short film screenings, panel discussions and an awards ceremony including screening the award-winning films at 5 p.m.
For a complete schedule and film listing, visit taosshortz.com.
Tickets are available online at www.taosshortz.com and at the Harwood Museum of Art. Ticket sales are $10 general admission or $8 for Harwood members for each short program. Children under 12 are free. The awards ceremony is an additional $10 or $8 for Harwood members. or $50 for a Festival pass. All panel discussions are free to the public. Tickets are also available online through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/.
There is a nominal fee for purchasing tickets online, Harwood members please buy tickets at the Harwood to avoid this fee. Ticket office hours at the Harwood Museum of Art gift shop (cash or checks only) are: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4.p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
March 4 ticket sales are open until 7 p.m. March 5 ticket sales are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
March 6 ticket sales start at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Taos Shortz film Fest is a program of Open Hearth Arts a 501 (c) 3. For more information, contact Anna Cosentine, Festival Director, at info@taosshortz.com.
The Harwood Museum of Art in Taos is located at 238 Ledoux Street. Call (575) 758-9826 for hours or email info@harwoodmuseum.com or visit http://harwoodmuseum.org.
Contact: Erica Asmus-Otero (505) 259-2202 Erica@griffinassoc.com
4th Annual Taos Shortz Film Fest, March 6-8, to Feature Short Films Including 10 from New Mexico
TAOS, NM —Taos will play host once again to the fourth annual Taos Shortz Film Festival – one of the most up and coming film festivals in the New Mexico, which will showcase more than 60 juried short films from 15 countries. The Festival is scheduled from Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011. Several juried short films were the brainchild of Taoseños and other New Mexicans, including writer/producer Allegra Huston (sister of actress Anjelica Huston).
According to Taos Shortz Film Fest founder Anna Cosentine, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of entries for 2011 over years past. This year she received 150 entries, which were juried and narrowed down to 60 films. That, compared to the Fest’s first year, when there were only 20 juried films and no panel discussions.
“In starting the Taos Shortz Film Fest, I thought it would be a boon to the community, not only so Taoseños could be exposed to a variety of subjects on indie filmmaking but to get cinematic arts back in Taos,” said Anna Cosentine, founder and president of Taos Shortz Film Fest. “It has always fascinated me how short filmmakers put so much money and time into telling a story, yet capturing an audience’s attention in only three minutes or so. I think the Festival gives Taoseños a sampling of what’s involved and what’s out there internationally when it comes to indie filmmaking.”
The jury takes into account everything from a film’s technical excellence, story line, and other guidelines to determine whether or not the film can proceed to the festival. Films are categorized into genres including documentary, dramatic fiction, comedy fiction, experimental and animation.
The Festival, which will be held at the Harwood Museum of Art, coincides with the Harwood’s New Mexorado art opening – highlighting the work of artists who reside between Albuquerque and Denver, Colorado.
Along with the screening of dozens of short films, the Festival will feature free panel discussions, a chance for film lovers and aspiring filmmakers to meet and ask questions of film professionals, networking parties and more. The awards ceremony concludes the Fest on March 6 at 5 p.m. All the award winning shorts will be shown at that screening.
Allegra Huston, who has lived in Taos for the past twelve years, will be part of a panel discussion on how she financed her short film, “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski,” which is having its world premiere at the Taos Shortz festival.
“It’s important for me to premiere my film in Taos since it’s not only my home but that of most of the people who created the film with me, and about a quarter of the launch crew (numbering nearly 900 people) who contributed money to make the film possible,” said Huston. “My advice to aspiring filmmakers is to know what you’re doing before you start – watch other good short films; be aware of cost implications before you start, and get excited about the project so others feel inspired to want to experience it as well. It’s very unlikely you’ll ever make money creating a short film; the goal should be to tell a story that you really love.”
Huston was able to finance “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski” thanks to contributions from New Mexicans and a number of other supporters, as well as a number of well-known celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and Larry Mullen (drummer of the Irish band U2).
Michael Grais, co-writer of the horror classic “Poltergeist,” will be also participating in a panel discussion along with a number of other directors, writers, producers and industry professionals.
Film activities begin at 7 p.m. on Friday with screenings of short films from seven countries. Then on Saturday, more short film programs will be shown from 9 a.m. to noon, which cater towards families and include panel discussions. Sunday wraps up with more short film screenings, panel discussions and an awards ceremony including screening the award-winning films at 5 p.m.
For a complete schedule and film listing, visit taosshortz.com.
Tickets are available online at www.taosshortz.com and at the Harwood Museum of Art. Ticket sales are $10 general admission or $8 for Harwood members for each short program. Children under 12 are free. The awards ceremony is an additional $10 or $8 for Harwood members. or $50 for a Festival pass. All panel discussions are free to the public. Tickets are also available online through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/.
There is a nominal fee for purchasing tickets online, Harwood members please buy tickets at the Harwood to avoid this fee. Ticket office hours at the Harwood Museum of Art gift shop (cash or checks only) are: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4.p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
March 4 ticket sales are open until 7 p.m. March 5 ticket sales are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
March 6 ticket sales start at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Taos Shortz film Fest is a program of Open Hearth Arts a 501 (c) 3. For more information, contact Anna Cosentine, Festival Director, at info@taosshortz.com.
The Harwood Museum of Art in Taos is located at 238 Ledoux Street. Call (575) 758-9826 for hours or email info@harwoodmuseum.com or visit http://harwoodmuseum.org.
About Taos Shortz Film Fest
The Taos Shortz Film Fest has established itself in the industry as the up and coming world class short film fest. Each year, their reputation continues to grow a fest of excellence. With outstanding films from around the world, casual panel discussions with industry professionals, and an assortment of visiting filmmakers, Taos Shortz prides itself on bringing world class cinema to New Mexico in a laid back and southwest charm that is quintessential Taos.
The Taos Shortz Film Fest has established itself in the industry as the up and coming world class short film fest. Each year, their reputation continues to grow a fest of excellence. With outstanding films from around the world, casual panel discussions with industry professionals, and an assortment of visiting filmmakers, Taos Shortz prides itself on bringing world class cinema to New Mexico in a laid back and southwest charm that is quintessential Taos.
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