Some consider short films to be the proving ground for future filmmakers. The catch: There are very few festivals in the United States that give exclusive attention to this cinematic subculture. Working to change that is the DC Shorts Festival, which runs through this Thursday at Landmark's E Street Cinema in downtown D.C.
"Short films are not widely rewarded in the U.S.," first-time filmmaker Jonathan Browning said. "The Internet gives short films accessibility, but as I heard someone put it once, 'On the Internet, my films are competing with films of a cat on a trampoline.'"
The importance of film festivals lies in the exposure they give to the craft of filmmaking. But not all festivals are alike. More popular ones, like Sundance or Cannes, focus mostly on feature-length works. In the United States especially, it's difficult for short film creators to find venues for their work.
"At the [DC Shorts] Festival ... there's a huge organization of people to support and inspire," Browning said. As an experienced director of stage productions in Chicago, Browning's not entirely new to the arts scene. But, as he says, "'The Job' is my first film ... and I've never put anything on camera."
Despite his lack of experience with the film medium, Browning put together a thought-provoking short that takes an interesting look at United States' changing workforce. "The Job" challenges audiences to reconsider their notions of work and immigrants in the United States.
Browning's short has been accepted at 33 film festivals. He entered it in the DC Shorts Festival because he wanted people in the government to view the film and to create a discussion on immigration.
With the help of director of photography David Jones, Browning tackles his subject with a bit of levity.
"I had a very specific idea in mind for the film," Browning said. "And I went to [Jones] with it, and he put it all together. We work really well together."
Jones also has another film, "Pop Foul," featured in the festival this year.
Though the Internet may be largely filled with less serious work - everything from "What What (In The Butt)" to children getting kicked by New York City break-dancers - sites like Ourstage.com are working to change that. Part of the site's mission is to "sort quality content from the sea of mediocrity online," according to the Web site. Eleven of their films - all viewed, critiqued and awarded by online audiences - will be screened at the DC Shorts Festival tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Screening tickets are $12 each. The festival's screenings comprise 10 to 12 short films, each with a running time of less than 20 minutes. After each screening, audience members can stay to vote for their favorite films and sit in on a question-and-answer session with featured film directors. The screening tickets also give festival-goers complimentary access to parties and events usually reserved for industry professionals.
