For the third year in a row, TheWrap has launched its annual ShortList Film Festival, a partnership with Cinedigm, Epix, YouTube and MTV.
The ShortList, running now through August 27, 2014, features prize winners from film festivals including Sundance, SXSW and the Tribeca Film Festival, among others. The festival sees 12 shorts vying for a multitude of honors, including two winners which will receive $5,000 cash prizes; another which will win the Audience Prize sponsored by YouTube, determined by popular vote, and granting the winner use of the YouTube Space in Los Angeles for their next project; and finally, the Industry Prize award, chosen by a jury of independent film experts, granting the winner a pitch meeting at Paramount Pictures, MGM or Lionsgate for an upcoming project.
The shorts will air on EPIX on August 24 at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT. You can see some of the shorts, and the full list of nominees, below.
ANIMATION
“Eager”
Directed by: Allison Schulnik
A rhythmic ritual is performed by a bizarre ensemble of macabre figures.
Special Jury Recognition, South by Southwest ’14
“Macropolis”
Directed by: Joel Simon
Two discarded toys find a new lease of life in a big alien city full of humans.
Family Choice Award, Ashland International Film Festival ’14
“ME + HER”
Directed by: Joseph Oxford
When Jack and Jill of Cardboard City are separated by Jill’s untimely death, Jack goes on a journey to mend his (literally) broken heart.
Best Animated Short, Aspen Shortfest ’14
NARRATIVE FICTION
“The Gunfighter”
Directed by: Eric Kissack
A gunfighter in the old West starts off a chain reaction when the voiceover announcing his entrance to a saloon proceeds to give a laundry list of the town’s deepest secrets.
Audience Award, Los Angeles Film Festival ’14
“My Friend Nietzche”
Directed by: Fáuston da Silva
The improbable meeting between Lucas and Nietzche will be the beginning of a violent revolution.
Audience Award, Clermont-Ferrand IFF ’14
“Noah”
Directed by: Patrick Cederberg and Walter Woodman
A relationship steeped in social media and told through the lens of Noah’s computer screen.
Best Short Film, Toronto International Film Festival ’13
“Off Ground”
Directed by: Boudewijn Koole
A dance film about a boy that says farewell to his mother.
Audience Awards, Netherlands International Film Festival ’14
“The Phone Call”
Directed by: Matt Kirby
When a shy lady (Sally Hawkins) who works in a suicide helpline call center takes a phone call from a distraught men (Jim Broadbent), she has no idea that the encounter will change her life forever.
Best Narrative Short, Tribeca ’14
“A Tropical Sunday”
Directed by: Fabian Ribezzo
It’s Sunday and crowds of eager children line up for rides at the fairground. Among them are four street kids, who have spent the week begging and scavenging. Today all they want is to feel like children again.
Best Drama, Aspen Shortsfest ’14
“Verbatim”
Directed by: Brett Weiner
A jaded lawyer wastes an afternoon trying to figure out if a dim-witted government employee has ever used a photocopier. All the dialogue comes from an actual legal deposition.
Best Short Film, Dallas International Film Festival ’14
“NOT IT (Zafo)”
Directed by: Pablo Orta
An afternoon with a group of young boys who draw straws to see who will perform a grim task.
Best Short Film, Guadalajara International Film Festival ‘ 14
DOCUMENTARY
“The Silly Bastard Next to the Bed”
Directed by: Scott Calonico
JFK places a salty call to his staff, questioning a potentially embarrassing expenditure.
Audience Award, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival ’14
Vote for the ShortList Film Festival by clicking here.
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