Guild Names Finalists in Annual Short Film Showcase
Winners Recognized at Feb. 25 Screening

Local 600 announced the finalists in its Fifth Annual Short Film Showcase competition. Taking top honors were Brett Albright for Fly Trap, David Armstrong for New Suits, Denise Brassard for The Rib, Eric Jones for Day After Day, Joe Maxwell for Member, Michael Price for The Last Gunshot, and Richard Sobin for The Third Rail.

The seven films premiered on Sunday, February 25 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles. Additional screenings will be announced in New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco and Dallas. The seven short films will also be presented at the Cannes International Film Festival. All of the screenings are sponsored by the Kodak Entertainment Imaging division.

"This showcase is a preview of what tomorrow's top filmmakers have to offer," says National Guild President George Spiro Dibie, ASC. "It also demonstrates that there is a deep reservoir of talent in our industry and that bodes well for the future. The content of these seven films ranges from comedy to high drama. They are all engaging, entertaining and skillfully executed original works of art. In each of these seven films the cinematographer played an important role in transforming an original script into moving images that tell a story."

The competition is open to all ICG members who are not yet rated as directors of photography in the ranks of the Guild. The only other rule is that films must be 30 minutes or less. There were more than 50 entries evaluated for both artistry and execution of craft by a peer group including some of the industry's top cinematographers.

"Media critics and traditional film festival juries tend to focus on the talent of actors, directors and writers," says ICG Showcase Chairman Rob Kositchek, Jr. "If it is noticed at all, cinematography is usually mentioned in a passing reference and many times for the wrong reasons. We believe cinematography should be judged by the emotions it evokes and how effectively it supports the intentions of the writer, director and actors. That usually isn't evident to critics and festival juries because it is designed to be transparent to audiences."

Kositchek notes that the Short Film Showcase provides an opportunity for the emerging generation of cinematographers to have their work judged by their peers who recognize and appreciate how skillfully and artfully executed lighting and camera work affects stories.

"It is very encouraging for a young person to win this competition, knowing that their work was judged by some of the industry's most talented cinematographers," he adds. "The competition is fierce with many extraordinary entries. It is never an easy decision for the judges."

Dibie says that the competition is primarily designed to provide a showcase for talented members of ICG who are ready to take the next steps on their career paths.

"Too many of today's festivals are caught up in promoting the technology used to produce films, probably because the vendors are also sponsors," Dibie observes. "We are dedicated to showcasing filmmakers based on their talent and their ability to execute their ideas."

He explains that many aspiring cinematographers join the ICG after completing their education with the idea of perfecting their craftsmanship while working as crewmembers.

"Cinematographers have to master a very complex craft before they can express their artistic instincts," Dibie says. "Talent alone isn't sufficient. You also need to master a complex craft and learn how to participate in a collaborative creative process. When you are working on a camera crew with a great cinematographer, you can observe the thinking behind their decisions, and see how they relate with different directors, actors and others involved in making the film."

While the Short Film Showcase is designed to recognize outstanding cinematography, Dibie notes that it also provides an important platform for promising writers, directors, actors and other participants in the projects. "Every year, we have the directors, writers and other people who participated in making these films express their appreciation for the encouragement and recognition this showcase gives them," he says. "One of our goals is to provide a source of hope and inspiration for talented people and encourage them to pursue their dreams."

Dibie says that the Short Film Showcase is one of many initiatives sponsored by ICG for the purpose of helping its 6,000 members gain recognition and advance in their careers.

Stay tuned to this site for more information about when the showcase will make a stop in your area. Click here for a recap of the Feb. 25 screening.