Los Angeles Film Festival Jury Duty

I was quite flattered to be asked by David Ansen to serve on the shorts jury for this month's Los Angeles Film Festival. In the last few years, one of my favorite annual traditions has been writing about the Oscar-nominated shorts, which gave me a fresh appreciation for condensed, innovative storytelling. So to be on this particular jury is a treat.

I'll be joined on the jury by author/filmmaker Sandi Tan and filmmaker David Fenster. (You can read more about Ms. Tan here and Mr. Fenster here.)

It's going to be a fun time, and I'm much looking forward to it. For the full announcement of all the juries, here you go. And if you're in Los Angeles, seriously, attend the festival. You'll be glad you did.

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2012

It's become an annual tradition I love: writing about the Oscar-nominated shorts for The Village Voice. For the second straight year, the theatrical series will include live-action, animated and documentary shorts, and in my review I cover all three categories. If you want a little spoiler, the animated field is the best of the bunch -- as it seems to be each year. In particular, seek out Wild Life, a poetic, sad little rumination about an Englishman who decides to reinvent himself amidst the harsh Canadian prairie. You can read my thoughts about Wild Life, and the rest of the shorts, here.

2011 oscar-nominated shorts

Continuing a fun annual tradition, I reviewed this year's Oscar-nominated shorts for The Village Voice. The twist for 2011? It's no longer just animated and live-action shorts: Documentary shorts are part of the bill now as well.

the oscar-nominated shorts

It's become a fun annual tradition: The Oscar-nominated live-action and animated shorts are released in theaters for the general public's enjoyment for a few weeks in February. I surveyed this year's crop for The Village Voice. What can I say? I love me some Wallace and Gromit.

2009 academy award nominated shorts

The 2009 Academy Award Nominated Shorts festival will be playing across the country starting this weekend -- five live-action and five animated nominees in total. They're not all terrific, but there are several that are absolutely worth your time. I pick out the gems over at The Village Voice.

oscar-nominated shorts

The five Best Live Action Short and five Best Animation Short nominees will be screening in select theaters this weekend. Here's my review.