The Maryland Film Festival (May 5-8) is a key event for the arts, and a fantastically entertaining cinema experience. My personal favorite thing about film festivals is the opportunity to see great short films, which really do represent the leading edge of what’s happening, and the Maryland Film Festival delivers the goods. Guest writer John Scott tells us what’s up with the MFF short programs:
It’s easy to see feature films on the big screen. Every multiplex and arthouse theater across the country slathers the screen in feature length offerings. It is a much rarer bird, indeed, to find short films gracing the large silver rectangle. This year’s Maryland Film Festival will offer a host of feature-length films from around the world, but you can see those any old time. Save your time and ticket money for the awesome assortment of shorts programs being screened. MFF will offer a sampling of the best contemporary short films from across the country and around the world. Over 70 shorts will be showcased in 9 programs, including the gala Opening Night Shorts Program (Thursday May 5, at MICA’s Falvey Hall) that kicks off this year’s MFF.
Each of the eight regular shorts programs (outside of opening night) are grouped by genre or theme including: Drama, Narrative, Experimental, Animation, Documentary. “Modern Romance” shorts provide a not always optimistic glimpse into human relationships in the digital age. The “Strange Times” shorts offer a variety of different takes on the strangeness that is our modern world. “Beyond the Valley of the WTF” is a mind-bending collection of films that will leave you scratching your head and wondering , WTF…
A sampling of titles and programs:
Lisa Duva and Katherine Nolfi’s MOUTH BABIES will be featured in “Beyond the Valley of the WTF Shorts.” Michael Mohan’s EX – SEX will be featured in “Modern Romance Shorts.” Zachary Treitz’s WE’RE LEAVING will be featured in “Strange Times Shorts.” David Lowery’s PIONEER starring Will Oldham will be featured in “Drama Shorts.”
All of the shorts programs (with the exception of the Opening Night program) will screen at least twice, and in many instances there will be filmmakers present to engage the audience in Q & A sessions.
As in years past, the selection of MFF films is truly international. The United States, Norway, Spain, Italy, Japan, the UK, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada are all represented. This diversity of viewpoints and creative visions will not be available in your local multi-plex, people.
John Scott
