Press Release from ShortsHD
LOS ANGELES - ShortsHD, the world's leading network devoted exclusively to short movies, hosts its second annual Shorts Awards at Soho House in West Hollywood, California for a night of Short Film Oscar® nominees and star power. The invitation-only event recognized the Oscar® Nominated Short Filmmakers for Live Action, Animation and Documentary, Industry Visionaries and Leaders and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Nick Park.
Last year, in addition to honoring each of the 15 nominees, ShortsHD bestowed the first "Lifetime Achievement Award in Short Film" on John Lasseter and three "Visionary Awards" to established filmmakers who have embraced short films, including Oscar® winner, Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo, Kenneth Branagh and June Foray (the 93 year-old voice of Rocky, the Smurfs and many Looney Tunes characters).
This year Awards were presented in multiple categories.
NOMINEES AWARDS
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Animation)
Film: A Morning Stroll
Nominees: Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe
Film: Dimanche/Sunday
Nominees: Patrick Doyon
Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Nominees: William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
Film: La Luna
Nominees: Enrico Casarosa
Film: Wild Life
Nominees: Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby,
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Live Action)
Film: Pentecost
Nominees: Peter McDonald, Eimear O'Kane
Film: Raju
Nominees: Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren
Film: The Shore
Nominees: Terry George, Oorlagh George
Film: Time Freak
Nominees: Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey
Film: Tuba Atlantic
Nominees: Hallvar Witzø
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Documentary)
Film: Incident in New Baghdad
Nominees: James Spione
Film: Saving Face
Nominees: Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Film: The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
Nominees: Gail Dolgin, Robin Fryday
Film: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Nominees: Lucy Walker, Kira Carstensen
Film: God is the Bigger Elvis
Nominees: Rebecca Cammisa, Juile Anderson
Visionary Awards:
Visionary Actor - Ray McKinnon
Visionary Actress - Joan Collins
Visionary Leader - Marcy Page
Visionary Animator - Bill Plympton
Shorts Technology Awards:
Best Video Camera for Short Filmmakers - Canon C300
Best New "Point & Shoot" Video Camera - Apple iPhone 4S
Best Technological Innovation to Assist in Short Film Editing- Adobe After Effects
Best Filmmaking App of 2011 -Movie Slate by Pure Blend Software
Shorts Visionary Award: This award recognizes established filmmakers that embrace the medium's reputation for bucking the trend, contributing their considerable talents to innovative short movies that embody the genre's best qualities.
Lifetime Achievement Award in Short Film: This is the highest honor the Awards Committee confers to a filmmaker whose work throughout his or her lifetime has been instrumental in keeping the form alive internationally with their own work, while sharing their knowledge and experience in short movies to inspire the next generation of filmmakers.
In addition, two new awards were presented this year: The International Award which recognizes the contribution of organizations and enterprises from around the world whom have excelled in expanding the audience for short films; championed talented emerging film makers and deepened the foundations of the short movie business. Recipients may include film festivals, TV networks, publicly funded film initiatives and even nations.
Shorts Technology Awards: These awards include five categories that honor the technology industry's contributions to short film. From best moderately priced video camera for a short movie, the best point and shoot camera for filmmakers, the best technological innovation to assist in editing, the best technological innovation in special effects and animation to the best filmmaking app on the marketplace, ShortsHD will showcase the tools reshaping the short movie industry.
Best Video Camera for Short Filmmakers -Awardee: Canon C300
The Canon EOS C300 digital cinema camera was released by Canon on November 3 2011 for an estimated list price of $20,000. The Canon C300 has been chosen for its exceptional cinema quality imaging performance. Quality of this nature is generally expected of much more expensive cameras whose prices make them out of reach for most aspiring short filmmakers. What Canon has done, and what the Awards Committee recognizes as particularly important for short filmmakers, is to create an impressive imaging system that is simple to operate and within the price range-either to rent for those not able to afford or for filmmakers starting a small filmmaking business, to own-of aspiring short filmmakers. Canon's success at further erasing the boundaries between aspiring filmmakers and long-term professionals with this leap in imaging technology deserves our recognition and praise. As an Awards Committee, we thank the many men and women at Canon whose dedicated efforts made this camera possible and their commitment to helping filmmakers on shoestring budgets tell their stories in near perfect imaging conditions.
Best New "Point & Shoot" Video Camera -Awardee: Apple iPhone 4S
iPhone 4S
The iPhone 4S was the most overwhelmingly supported piece of technology by ShortsHD's viewers. They loved its HD image quality, its ease of use and its integration with the other vital aspects of our lives represented on a smart-phone system. Whether they are experienced filmmakers or average smart-phone users, the iPhone 4S gives them many of the capabilities that previously only experienced filmmakers could access. Even experienced filmmakers are experimenting with the iPhone 4's filmmaking capabilities: award-winning filmmaker Park Chan-wook shot a 30-minute film, called "Night Fishing," using up to 10 iPhone 4's filming simultaneously from different angles. It is for this seamless and excellent craftsmanship that the Awards Committee honors the many men and women at Apple who have designed and produced this amazing piece of equipment, which makes each one of us a budding filmmaker.
Best Technological Innovation to Assist in Short Film Editing-Awardee: Adobe After Effects
Adobe "After Effects" has been selected from among its peers for its ability to create sophisticated motion graphics and cinematic visual effects. Since the early nineties, "After Effects" has redefined visual effects, making it accessible to indie filmmakers, changing the landscape of low budget filmmaking, while at the same time being a go-to solution for blockbusters, being used on the likes of films such as Van Helsing, Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and Resident Evil. The evolution of the software has been nothing short of remarkable, growing from a basic compositing program to a fully integrated visual effects solution.
The Awards Committee commends the men and women at Adobe for their commitment to bringing the widest range of capability in an excellent and highly usable environment.
Best Filmmaking App of 2011--Awardee: Movie Slate by Pure Blend Software
This app is a digital version of the time-honored clapperboard helpful for cataloging motion sequences during the filming of a production. It has been chosen for its convenience and design which increases productivity in production and post production at an affordable price for short film makers
THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD:
TURKEY -- Honoring TTNET & the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival
Turkey's enduring culture is a critical bridge between Europe and the Middle East, and as such, has enormous impact and influence today. As one of the world's leading storytelling cultures, its television and filmmaking have long had influence far beyond its borders. Turkish Telecom's TTNET was the first web and television operator to embrace short films in Southern Europe or the Middle East. For the first time ever, regional filmmakers have a platform to credibly release their work and to be seen by audiences not only in Turkey, but across Europe. Turkey's leading film event each year, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, has also greatly expanded its support for short films and short filmmaking. Together, these private efforts to expand and provide for a greater base of filmmaking in Turkey through the broad-based support of emerging voices in film is having and will continue to have enormous impact throughout Europe and the Middle East. It is because of these unheralded efforts and their significant potential impact on the world of storytelling that the Awards Committee today awards "The International Award in Short Filmmaking" to Turkey, honoring TTNET and the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
OSCAR® NOMINEE AWARDS:
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Animation)
Film: A Morning Stroll
Nominees: Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe
Film: Dimanche / Sunday
Nominees: Patrick Doyon
Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Nominees: William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
Film: La Luna
Nominees: Enrico Casarosa
Film: Wild Life
Nominees: Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby,
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Live Action)
Film: Pentecost
Nominees: Peter McDonald, Eimear O'Kane
Film: Raju
Nominees: Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren
Film: The Shore
Nominees: Terry George, Oorlagh George
Film: Time Freak
Nominees: Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey
Film: Tuba Atlantic
Nominees: Hallvar Witzø
NOMINEES FOR SHORT FILM (Documentary)
Film: Incident in New Baghdad
Nominees: James Spione
Film: Saving Face
Nominees: Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Film: The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
Nominees: Gail Dolgin, Robin Fryday
Film: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Nominees: Lucy Walker, Kira Carstensen
Film: God is the Bigger Elvis
Nominees: Rebecca Cammisa, Juile Anderson
VISIONARY AWARDS:
Shorts are prophetic enterprises that take those involved on unpredictable journeys to the boundaries of filmmaking. This award recognizes those individuals that embrace the medium's reputation for bucking the trend, contributing their considerable talents to innovative short movies that embody the category's best qualities.
This award recognizes established filmmakers that embrace the medium's reputation for bucking the trend, contributing their considerable talents to innovative short movies that embody the genre's best qualities.
VISIONARY ACTOR - Ray McKinnon
Ray McKinnon has a passion for the characters he inhabits. Whether in feature films such as "Blind Side," the critically acclaimed television show "Sons Of Anarchy" or his Oscar® winning short movie "The Accountant," he owns the screen with his engaging presence. Working with emerging talent, Ray's pioneering spirit has supported the early work of bright new directors, writers, and producers. His continued encouragement and inspiration to actors and filmmakers of the short film medium are why we recognize Ray McKinnon as this year's recipient of the Shorts Visionary Actor Award.
VISIONARY ACTRESS - Joan Collins
Joan Collins' passion for the characters she plays has no bounds. Whether in feature films, television or short movies, she inhabits the screen with her engaging presence. She began her acting work in the short film, "Facts and Fancies." From here she went onto the stage, the big screen and television. Her exceptional acting talent has brought to life iconic characters which are a part of the very fabric of American culture. Few actresses in our generation have created so indelible an impression. She has never been afraid to explore new boundaries and her return to short films recently in the role of Francesca Vonn in the short film, "Fetish" pronounces this bold move for a great actress going against type. As an actress who embraces short film's reputation for bucking the trend, we honor Joan Collins as this year's recipient of the Shorts Visionary Actress award.
VISIONARY LEADER - Marcy Page
Marcy Page's passion for short films and short filmmakers is astounding. Many with her production talents might have been tempted to move into feature production, but Marcy has served as champion of the medium for over 20 years, producing some of the most excellent short movies made in the world during that time. With over 45 producing credits, 5 Academy Award® nominations including this year's animated short nominee "Wild Life" and two Academy Awards®, Marcy has tirelessly ensured that talented Canadian animators make the director-driven films they are passionate about. This partnership with her animation directors and producing teams has led the National Film Board of Canada to be a creative tour de force recognized almost annually by the Academy®, the Genie Awards and film festivals worldwide. For this dedication and perseverance in short filmmaking, for enabling the path of many of our best emerging directors, for leading us in bucking the trend for many years and for her humble approach to true excellence, we wish to recognize Marcy Page as this year's recipient of the Shorts Visionary Leader award.
VISIONARY ANIMATOR - Bill Plympton
Two-time Oscar® nominee Bill Plympton's talents as an Animator and Director span a career of over 35 years. Internationally recognized, he has cultivated a tremendous following of Directors, Animators, Illustrators and fans of his unique style and storytelling sensibility. He inspires new generations of filmmakers and animators and has continually stepped in to foster new and emerging talent. For his success and dedication to the medium of Animated short film, for his support and drive to continue to make short films despite continual attempts by the studios to tempt him away, we recognize Bill Plympton as this year's recipient of the Shorts Visionary Animator Award.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Nick Park
This award recognizes the recipient's extraordinary lifetime contribution to short movies of every kind including Experimental, Live Action, Animation and Documentary. This is our highest honor, conferred to a filmmaker we've identified as being key to keeping the form alive internationally with their own work through technical/philanthropic contributions to the field, while sharing their knowledge and experience in short movies to inspire the next generation of filmmakers.
Nick Park's passion for animation and film started at an early age. At age 13, with the help of his creative parents, he started to make films with a home movie camera and cotton bobbins. He studied Communication Arts at Sheffield Polytechnic and then went to the National Film and Television School, where he created his unique animation vision and started his first Wallace & Gromit short film titled "A Grand Day Out." In 1985, he joined Aardman Animations in Bristol, where he worked as an animator on commercial products. The first of many highly acclaimed films were completed during his early days at Aardman. In 1990, Nick won his first BAFTA with "A Grand Day Out" and in 1991 he won his first OSCAR with "Creature Comforts." With his vision and creative genius in high gear, he brilliantly crafted a series of Wallace & Gromit short and feature films that earned 3 Academy Awards® and 5 BAFTAS. In total, Nick Park has Won 4 OSCARS® from 6 nominations, 5 BAFTAs from 8 nominations and has received an Emmy Award nomination.
For over 40 years Nick Park has created short and feature films that inspire and delight the public. From his whimsical adventures of Wallace & Gromit to his hilarious Creature Comfort shorts, he's created masterpieces that live in us and brighten our souls. Not only has Nick Park been passionate about his own adventures in short film, but he has contributed mightily to the efforts of many aspiring filmmakers at university and other educational outlets.
ABOUT SHORTSHD
ShortsHD™ is the first high definition channel dedicated to short movies and is available on DIRECTV (Channel 568), Dish Network (Channel 375) and AT&T U-Verse (Channel 1789). ShortsHD™ is operated by Shorts International, the world's leading short movie entertainment company with the world's largest movie catalogue dedicated to short movies. Shorts International also operates ShortsTV™, which is available in France, Belgium, Luxembourg on Numericable (Channels 134 and 52) and in Turkey via TTNET's Tivibu service. Shorts™ is the short movie on-demand service available on iTunes movie stores in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and throughout Europe. The company is headquartered in London, England with additional offices in Paris and Los Angeles and is led by Carter Pilcher, Chief Executive. Shorts International is owned by Shorts Entertainment Holdings and Liberty Global Ventures.
It is for these many years of work in shorts and features combined with his consistent efforts throughout his career to inspire and assist emerging filmmakers that we are so very honored to present a Lifetime Achievement Award in Short Film.