For the past few years, I’ve made time to go to the theatre near me to watch the Oscar nominated short films (animated and live action).  At my first film festival in Avignon, France, each feature was preceded by a short film.  It was fascinating to be pulled into a film so quickly. The films packed such a punch and were so enjoyable (Hollywood could really learn a thing from more of these filmmakers and save a bunch of money, but I digress).  The Avignon festival (at the time) was a small festival that allowed filmmakers to interact with the festival goers with a Q&A and with community meals. I met actors, directors, producers, etc.  and had such interesting conversations (albeit short ones as I was not in the industry and therefore not helpful to their distribution, career, etc.).

It was this first festival that elevated my passion for non-Hollywood films – to see the creatively out there, the years toiled to make a short or feature that would only play at a festival, the universal stories of life.  Life throughout the world is the same – we all struggle to live a good life providing for our families and searching for happiness.

Last weekend, I was able to do a mini-fest with both the Animated and Live Action Shorts (I will watch the Documentaries this weekend).  Such a variety of stories, incredible talents and yet at the awards show (and the office pools) everyone questions the validity of the shorts – if only they knew!  The better films are often in the short (and of course foreign language category) in my opinion – these are the films that make me love going to the theater.

So while I think I have a bit of insider knowledge for my office pool this weekend, it’s anyone’s guess – seeing the films only made me want to cheer for each one – they were all so amazingly good, I am having problems picking just one. If you have a chance, try to see some or all of the Shorts in your local theatre, via OnDemand or Itunes.  Fall in love with the movies again – two or twenty minutes at a time!

For more information visit   http://ons.shorts.tv/index.php

A quick overview:

Animated:

• Maggie Simpson (yes, of the Simpsons) in the Longest Daycare – so very Maggie!
• Paperman – a Disney film in black/white and so, so Disney which is to say lovely and enchanting
• Adam and Dog – man’s best friend discovers Adam in the Garden of Eden
• Fresh Guacamole – a quick two minute Claymation that captures everything it needs to
• Head over Heels – heart warming film about marriage/relationships

Live Action:

• Henry – about loss and growing old
• Death of a Shadow – a sci-fi film that has a different spin on the after life for a WWI Soldier
• Curfew – how family can save your life with one call
• Asad -life in Somalia for a young boy (all of the actors are refugees) trying to avoid pirate life
• Buzkashi Boys – two boys in Afghanistan and the national sport of Buzkashi (polo played with a dead goat)

So give it a try and have someone to root for Sunday night at the Oscars –

If you watch the films, do tell me what you liked best – who would you vote for?