The Inaugural L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival will honor director/comedian/actor/writer Bobcat Goldthwait with the first-ever 2009 COMMIE AWARD at the Closing Night Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Cinespace in Hollywood.

“Just when you think you’ve got Bobcat pegged, he pops up from a totally different direction, completely unexpected, and with another brilliantly funny facet to crack you up,” commented Gary Anthony Williams, Artistic Director of LACSFF. “Writing. Acting. Directing. Stand-up. Bobcat doesn’t stop. And that makes us happy. LA Comedy Shorts is proud to honor Bobcat Goldthwait with the 2009 Commie Award!”

Bobcat Goldthwait entertains on all levels, with his acting, writing, directing and his stand up act. Having gotten his start performing in a comedy duo with his childhood friend Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob Squarepants), Goldthwait quickly became recognized in the 80’s as a stand-up comedian - with three televised concert specials - and actor - with such comedic mainstays as the Police Academy films, One Crazy Summer, Tapeheads and Scrooged. Turns out that his real passion was directing and in 1991 he wrote, directed and starred in his first feature, Shakes the Clown. His next directorial effort was the film Windy City Heat, which not only won best film at the Montreal Comedy Festival that year, Matt Stone (co-creator of South Park) called it ‘beyond genius.’ His next film, Sleeping Dogs Lie, was shot during a two-week hiatus from directing Jimmy Kimmel Live. Goldthwait recently had two films premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival: World’s Greatest Dad, written and directed by Goldthwait and starring Robin Williams, which received critical acclaim, and Goldthwait Home Movies: Anniversary Edition. Guess this directing and writing thing is working out for him. Mazel Tov!

The Commie Award will be presented to Bobcat Goldthwait by his friend Tom Kenny at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony for the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival, hosted by Adam Carolla. That night, the festival will also recognize the winning filmmakers and screenwriters who will have competed for over $40,000 in cash and prizes in the following categories: The Funny or Die Best-of-Fest Grand Prize, Atam.com Best Comedy Short Film (30 minutes or less), Atomic Wedgie Best Comedy ‘Shortie’ Short (5 minutes or less) and Atom.com Best Animated Comedy Short (30 minutes or less), as well as the Atomic Wedgie Audience Choice Award.

Tickets for the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival, which runs March 5-8, 2009, are available online up to 12 hours before the event at www.lacomedyshorts.com and at the theater box office up until the time of the event. $10 for regular screenings and panels; $15 for the Closing Night Ceremony, and $99 for an All-Access Festival Pass, which includes all screenings, panels, parties and VIP/filmmaker events. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.lacomedyshorts.com.