Taos Shortz Film Fest

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TAOS, NM —

Taos will play host
again to the 4th annual Taos Shortz Film Fest

dubbed as one of the most up and coming shorts
film festivals in Northern New  Mexico. The festival will showcase more than 60 juried short films
from 15 countries. The Festival is scheduled from Friday, March 4 through
Sunday, March 6, 2011.  Several juried
short films were the brainchild of Taosenos and other New Mexicans, including
writer/producer Allegra Huston (sister of actress, Angelica Huston).

According to Taos Shortz Film Fest founder, Anna
Cosentine, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of entries for 2011
than in years past. This year, she received 150 entries, which were juried and
narrowed down to 60 films. That, compared to the Fest’s first year when there
were only 20 juried films and no panel discussions.

“In starting the Taos Shortz  Film
Fest, I thought it would be a boon to the community not only so Taosenos could
be exposed to a variety of subjects on indie film making but to get cinematic
arts back in Taos,” said Anna Cosentine, founder and President of Taos Shortz
Film Fest. “It has always fascinated me how short filmmakers put so much money
and time into telling a story, yet capturing an audience’s attention in only
three minutes or so. I think the Festival gives Taosenos a sampling of what’s
involved and what’s out there internationally when it comes to indie
filmmaking.”

The juried panel takes into
account everything from a film’s technical excellence, story line, and other
guidelines to determine whether or not the film can proceed to the festival.
Films are categorized into genres including: documentary, dramatic fiction,
comedy fiction, experimental and animation.

The Festival, which will be held
at the Harwood Museum of Art, coincides with the Harwood’s New Mexorado art
opening – highlighting the work of artists who reside between Albuquerque and
Denver, Colorado.

Along with the screening of
dozens of short films, the Festival will feature free panel discussions, a
chance for film lovers and aspiring filmmakers to meet and ask questions of
film professionals, networking parties and more. The Awards Ceremony concludes the festival
on March 6th at 5pm. All the award winning shorts will be shown at
that screening

Allegra Huston, who has lived in
Taos for the past 10 years, will be part of a panel discussion on how she
financed her film. She will also be on hand for the world premiere of her first
short film, “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski.”

“It’s important for me to premier
my film in Taos since it’s not only my home but that of most of my launch crew
who helped make it possible,” said Huston. “My advice to aspiring filmmakers is
to know what you’re doing before you start – watch other good, short
films; be aware of cost implications before you start, and get excited about
the project so others feel inspired to want to experience it as well. It’s very
unlikely you’ll ever make money creating a short film; the goal, instead,
should be to tell a story that you really love.”

Huston was able to finance “Good
Luck, Mr. Gorski” thanks to donations from New Mexicans and a number of other
supporters, as well as a number of well known celebrities including Jack
Nicholson, Angelica Huston and Larry Mullen (drummer from Irish band, U2).

Michael Grais, co-writer of the
horror classic, Poltergeist, will be also participating in a panel discussion
along with a number of other directors, writers, producers and industry
professionals.

Film activities begin at 7 p.m.
on Friday with screenings of short films from seven countries. Then on Saturday, more short film programs will be
shown from 9 a.m. to noon, which cater towards families and include panel
discussions. Sunday wraps up with more short film screenings, panel discussions
and an awards ceremony including screening the award winning films at 5 p.m.

For a complete schedule and film
listing, visit taosshortz.com.