Aspen Film, a year-round film arts and education organization, announces the finalists invited to screen at its 23rd annual Aspen Shortsfest, April 8-13, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. A record number of submissions--more than 3,000 from over 90 countries--were considered. Seventy shorts representing more than 30 countries were ultimately selected for this year's International Competition. From recognizable actors (Oscar® nominee Sally Hawkins and Natalie Dormer) to emerging directors, the 2014 edition showcases a vibrant array of stories and styles in comedy, drama, animation and documentary film.

The official Shortsfest program is now available on the Aspen Film website, aspenfilm.org. Tickets to the general public will go on sale Friday, March 21 and are available through the Wheeler Opera House Box Office in Aspen and The Blend in Carbondale, as well as aspenshowtix.com.

Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film. Its centerpiece, the juried International Competition, offers a diverse slate of films running 3 to 27 minutes. A jury of esteemed film professionals will attend and determine this year's winners and cash prizes.

The festival brings the year's most imaginative films and storytellers to Aspen through this ground-breaking medium largely unavailable to general audiences. This year's lineup includes several premieres, critically acclaimed films and favorites from the international festival circuit.

"Our 2014 season explores a truly global array of characters, situations and subjects," says Aspen Film Co-Director George Eldred. "From our festival seats we travel together to all seven continents--even Antarctica--to experience the imagination of our talented filmmakers and their creative risk-taking. We look forward to sharing the thrill of discovery with our audiences this spring."

Special Presentations  

and Program Highlights

For the third year, Aspen Shortsfest is partnering with The Writers Guild Foundation to present WRITING FOR THE SCREEN: HOW TO CREATE CHARACTERS AND KEEP YOUR FRIENDS, a spirited and illuminating conversation with an engaging set of screenwriters, including Peter Blake (Elementary, House M.D.), Craig Borten (Dallas Buyers Club) and David Pollock (M*A*S*H) on Saturday, April 12. Also on Saturday the free Filmmaker Forum, CROWD-SOURCED FILMMAKING, will reveal the meticulous logistics involved in coordinating multiple filmmakers around the world to create one single, seamless film. Shortsfest presents special opportunities to engage with nearly 50 attending filmmaker guests. Three free FILMMAKER TALK BACKS will be held at noon on Wednesday, April 9, Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11. And, on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, a FAMILY FUN program will feature an international selection of animated and live action shorts from around the world for movie lovers age 7 and up.

TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL SHORTSFEST 2014 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION LINEUP click here.  

Ticket Information

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 21, and are $15 per program. Tickets for the WRITING FOR THE SCREEN panel discussion are $10, and FAMILY FUN tickets are $7. Tickets for all shows are available at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office in Aspen and via aspenshowtix.com. Crystal Theatre show tickets are available at The Blend in Carbondale. The full program is currently online at aspenfilm.org, and the official, printed program guide is available in The Aspen Times daily edition March 21 and in the Aspen Times Weekly March 27 and April 3.

Aspen Shortsfest is made possible through generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Aspen, The Aspen Times, KQED, Aspen Public Radio, the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, The Thrift Shop of Aspen, Les Dames d'Aspen, and the Towns of Basalt and Carbondale.  

For more information about the 23rd annual Aspen Shortsfest, please connect with Aspen Film publicity contact, Jennifer Slaughter of Different Indeed.

About Aspen Film. Established in 1979, Aspen Film is one of Colorado's most active film arts organizations, presenting dynamic programs and featured guest artists throughout the year. Internationally recognized, Aspen Film organizes a major film event in every season, along with an extensive education program: Aspen Filmfest, Academy Screenings, Aspen Shortsfest, New Views and Film Educates. With a mission to enlighten, enrich, educate and entertain through film, Aspen Film stimulates thought, encourages dialogue and broadens understanding of our world and selves through the diverse spectrum of ideas presented by filmmakers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.aspenfilm.org.