Aspen Shortsfest invites submissions of live-action, documentary and animation short films and videos for the 18th annual edition of its Oscar-qualifying competitive showcase. Aspen Shortsfest 2009 will be held April 1-5, 2009. Entries will be accepted beginning September 1, 2008. Early bird entry (reduced entry fee) deadline is November 1, 2008. Regular entry deadline is December 15, 2008. Instructions for entering are available online at www.aspenfilm.org. A jury of noted film professionals will award more than $20,000 in cash plus other prizes. Winners in live-action and animation categories may also qualify for Academy Award consideration. In recent years, several Aspen Shortsfest award-winners have garnered Oscar Awards or nominations (THE DANISH POET, ERAMOS POCOS, BADGERED, GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA, OUR TIME IS UP, WASP, TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT, 7:35 IN THE MORNING and SQUASH among others). Widely recognized as one of the world's premiere showcases for short film and video, Aspen Shortsfest offers an intimate international forum attended by emerging artists, established film professionals, journalists, buyers, bookers and film-loving audiences from the U.S. and abroad. Says Shortsfest alumni Jason Reitman (director, JUNO), "One of my favorite film festivals in the world. Young filmmakers often ask me where to send their shorts, and I always say Aspen." In addition to the international competition screenings, highlights of the five-day event include tributes, retrospectives, panels and workshops. A MasterWorks panel, famous industry-wide for its makeup of high-profile guests, shares insights that contribute to the mentoring element of Shortsfest. Other special programs like Planet Cinema and Director Spotlight provide a more in-depth look at the artistry of a filmmaker, film genre or country. A presentation of Aspen Film, Aspen Shortsfest is made possible in part by the Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Colorado Council on the Arts, the City of Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village. For more information on Aspen Film and its year-round programs, contact (970) 925-6882 or visit www.aspenfilm.org.