Oscar®-qualifying Aspen Shortsfest starts today

6 Days    |    64 Films    |    34 Filmmakers    |    
Panels, Parties, Awards, and More!

With a reputation as a premier North American showcase of short films, Aspen Shortsfest is Oscar®-qualifying in four categories of its international competition. Now celebrating 26 years, this festival offers a diverse and exciting selection of drama, comedy, animation, and documentary films all 40 minutes or less.

 Shortsfest is an industry-recognized destination for discovering breakthrough talent. Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) and Sarah Polley (Stories We Tell) are among notable alumni whose short films first screened at Aspen Shortsfest before they became household names. 

Come check out this year's talent!

Opening Reception
Complimentary and Open to the Public!

THE RED BRICK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
110 East Hallam Street
6:30 pm -7:30 pm

Join us as we meet and greet this year's filmmakers and industry guests over a glass of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a signature drink!

Opening Night Reception Sponsored by:

Immediately following tonight's reception,
join us at Paepcke Auditorium for the Opening Night program! 
 

Around the World

A stunning global tour, sampling the striking works of our international filmmakers. From new world love to old school friendships, these films combine for a gorgeous cinematic roller coaster ride.
 

PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM - 8:15 pm
 

Run Time: 92 min.

Filmmaker Q & A to follow

High Cities of Bone
Karlon, born in a slum in the outskirts of Lisbon and a pioneer of Cape Verdean creole rap, runs away from the housing project to which he had been relocated. Nights of vigil are spent under a sweltering tropical heat. Among the sugarcanes, a murmur is heard. Karlon hasn’t stopped singing. KM (João Salaviza, Portugal, 19 min.) North American Premiere

Shine
Precariously alight, two electrically compete to capture the attention of one. But is bigger, brighter, fancier always going to win? In this student animation, nature’s display of attraction sets the night on fire and lets sparks fly. KM (Alexander Dietrich, Johannes Flick, Germany, 5 min.) US Premiere

Sandy Beach
A beautifully rendered and evocative piece of storytelling about a woman who takes her elderly father to a pebbled stretch of Greek seaside called “Sandy Beach” on an off-season day. Little does she know everything is about to change. LG (Thanos Papastergiou, Greece, 12 min.) US Premiere

Lou
When a toy-stealing bully ruins recess for a playground full of kids, only one thing stands in his way: the “Lost and Found” box. From the wonderful team at Pixar comes Dave Mullin’s delightful short, Lou, set to be released in theaters along with Cars 3 on June 16, 2017. KM (Dave Mullins, USA, 7 min.)

Women&Wine
Norwegian comedy of manners, Women&Wine, is equal parts charming and cringeworthy look at the shifts in closeness that happen in friendships over time—and one woman’s knee jerk reaction to the fear of being replaced. There are some things that even wine can’t remedy. LG (Liv Karin Dahlstrøm, Norway, 22 min.) North American Premiere

Os Humores Artificiais/The Artificial Humours
Anthropology and artificial intelligence combine to tell a tale as old as time. In this tender fable, a stand-up comedian falls in love with an indigenous girl. Touching on postcolonial, gender, and identity issues, this “love from the wrong side of the tracks” story will capture both your heart and funny bone. KM (Gabriel Abrantes, Portugal, 29 min). Work in Progress

Shortsfest Tickets Available at:

The Wheeler Opera House Box Office
320 East Hyman
Aspen, CO  81611

Monday through Friday
Noon to 5:00 pm

Online at:
aspenshowtix.com

or by phone:
970-920-5770

Thank you to this year's Grantors, Signature & Supporting Sponsors of Shortsfest.