The best description I’ve heard of the relationship between my friend Jon Gann and I is this: I’m Ethel to his Lucy.
“Let’s make a film in 48 hours!”
“It should be a musical!”
“We can do a production number on Vespas!”
“Let’s start a film festival!”
Huh?
“We’ll call it DC Shorts!”
And here we are, seven years later, with one of the most successful fests in DC, described by Moviemaker Magazine as “one of the most influential film festivals.” That’s the result of Jon’s massive rolodex, his magical way of talking people into things, and a lot of hard work — by a lot of people. There is an army behind the scenes at DC Shorts, from the judges who start their work in the spring watching hundreds upon hundreds of films, to the volunteers who do everything from selling tickets to accomodating visiting filmmakers in their homes.
My little piece of this undertaking is creating the actual shows — mastering and compressing the films, setting up our custom computerized projection system, and creating the various graphics and titles.
And all the while, Jon is the eye of the storm, swirling around and producing dangerous, high-speed winds. (Is that the right metaphor?)
If you’ve never been to DC Shorts, I highly recommend it. If you’re a filmmaker (or even an aspiring one) it’s a great learning experience. You’ll meet filmmakers from around the world and across the country, and there are Q&A sessions after selected screenings. Not a filmmaker? Then experience the fun of watching 10 films in a row, none more than 20 minutes. If you don’t like the one you’re watching, just wait a moment and you’ll get something entirely different. You’ll even get to vote on your favorite films for the Audience Award!
Don’t want to wait for the movie? Check out the Screenplay Competition. Actors will read screenplays for as-yet-unmade films; the winner will receive a grant and a guaranteed slot in next year’s DC Shorts. (That competition happens October 17.)
DC Shorts begins September 9 and runs through September 16 at the Landmark E Street Cinema and the U.S. Navy Memorial Theater. Learn all about the fest and purchase tickets at http://www.dcshorts.com. See you there!
