The second annual Very Short Movies festival has completed its selection of films for competition and special series, it was announced today by the VSM (Very Short Movies) Film Society President and VSM festival founder, Serge Polakoff. The festival will feature two World premieres, an International premiere, a North American premiere and a U.S. premiere.

48 films from the U.S. and 10 foreign countries from an unprecedented 500+ submissions will compete in the comedy, drama, animation, documentary and experimental categories and 30+ filmmakers are scheduled to appear with their films at the festival. In addition, the following special series have been selected: “Spotlight on France,” the international salute to Gallic films, “From the Short List to the A-List,” several initial films from leading Hollywood directors, “And the Winner was…,” shorts that have multiple honors and special selection status at other worldwide film festivals. A special category of student films by artists under the age of 18 years is also included in the festival program.

A surprise group of recent award-nominated short films, that have not been widely available to public audiences, will be showcased at opening night festivities on March 8, 2007. A post-premiere party will be held following the screening.

“We are thrilled with the number and caliber of entries for this festival, and proud of the industry exchange that has been planned,” stated Serge Polakoff, founder/producer/president of VSM. We provide a multi-tier development of festival-worthy films (all submitted online), exposure and mentoring for emerging filmmakers from both the U.S. and abroad, and a template for the developing online entertainment field.” This year’s festival director is Claudia Durgnat, formerly director at City of Lights, City of Angels French film festival (2004-2006) at the Directors Guild of America. She curated the VSM special series programs outside of competition. “We have specialized our festival with the participation of many Hollywood-based businesses, making it a true community affair,” Durgnat added.