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May 15, 2002

We were all exhausted today from our hard work and partying last night, but we were excited to share Short Shorts with the Los Angeles public and anxious to see how many would turn out on a Wednesday night. We had no cause to worry after all! The American Cinematheque informed us right before the screening started that 220 people had shown up--one of the highest numbers for a shorts program at their venue. Following the screening, Programming Director Marliese Schneider led a question and answer session with directors Ryuhei Kitamura and Leanna Creel. Kitamura, whose film "the messenger," made its U.S. debut in our festival, said he shot and edited his film in three days, without any rehearsals. He is about to start filming his next feature, a 60-minute film that once again deals with the theme of fate. "All of my work explores this theme," he said. Creel, whose film "Offside" is based on a true story about soldiers who put down their guns for a soccer game in 1914, was thrilled to have her film included in our Los Angeles screening. Although she primarily sees herself as a director, Creel has discovered that she also enjoys writing, and is currently working on a screenplay for Imagine Entertainment.

Leanna Creel talks with E! Entertainment Television about her film Offside.

Programming Director Marliese Schneider led a question and answer session with directors Ryuhei Kitamura.

May 14, 2002

At 10 a.m. the Short Shorts staff, in addition to volunteers from the American Cinematheque and a group of Japanese students, gathered at the Egyptian Theatre to prepare for the evening ahead. For the next few hours, we filled 500 gift bags with mini-bottles of Skyy Vodka, ANA fans and pens, Hollywood & Highland gift certificates, Japanese tea provided by NIJIYA Market in Los Angeles. By five p.m., we had covered the theatre with our posters, the red carpet was rolled out, and the media was setting up to interview celebrities and filmmakers in attendance. As guests took their seats inside the theatre, volunteers - wearing what else? Short Shorts! - handed out boxes of snacks while a reel with footage from the past three years of Short Shorts in Japan played on the screen. Our co-founders, Tetsuya Bessho and Doug Williams, opened with a welcome to everyone, followed by comments from Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, Mr. Masaharu Kohno. Then Programming Director Marliese Schneider recognized filmmakers from festivals past and present who were in attendance. Led by Jane Campion's "Peel," the 113-minute show drew a mix of reactions from laughter to tears to surprise all the way through its last film, Brooke Keesling's Student Academy Award winner "Boobie Girl." While the films rolled, workers were busy outside the theater setting up for the party. Due to a massive traffic jam on one of the major freeways, many guests arrived late (but they made it!) and some even arrived well after the show to attend the party that lasted close to midnight. Filmmakers, actors, writers, and agents mingled with friends and colleagues of the festival. Many commented that they had never before seen such an impressive group of short films. As guests picked up their gift bags on their way out, they asked about attending the screening next year…