Kimmie Dee

Over the years, I'd had it. Having worked/volunteered for film festivals for more than a decade, it became increasingly clear that a cancer had reared its ugly head. The observation I made was nothing short of sycophant society hell bent on being seen and/or canoodling with some celebrity. To me, these over-stuffed bras, deluxe Botox, label wearing women and men show up at events like ugly girls accompanied to the prom by a paid-off neighbor. Everyone knows, but no one says anything.

I don’t blame the idolized talent for misdirected celebrity worship. Sure their ego may enjoy the fuss, but they have no control over an unsolicited frenzied response to an Escalade dismount. I’m just no longer able to watch the same rich people eat cheese, drink wine and air kiss famous actors night after night. This writer can only throw up so much.

But, I do LOVE film. I, myself, am attracted to actors, but for the reason of craft and process. And, while the aforementioned scene is easy to dismiss, I soon learned the problem with throwing the baby out with the bath water. A) We're in a drought, and B.) You THROW OUT THE BABY!

Yeah, babies poop, cry and keep you awake at night, but they can also be a lot of fun. And nobody's baby is more fun than the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival created and birthed by Gary Anthony Williams (Boston Legal, Malcolm in the Middle), Jeannie Roshar and Ryan Higman. Yes, you read right, it took three of them to create this baby, but hey, it's LA, we do things different here.

The LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival isn’t one of those ugly babies either. Now in it’s sixth year, they have been named Top Ten Festivals in the US by the Brooks Institute and twice voted one of the “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by Moviemaker Magazine. Why? Because, comedy and filmmakers are their priority.

“But will there be celebrities?” Of course! This isn’t some backwoods hootenanny! This IS a film festival and comedic luminaries such as Jane Lynch, Adam Carolla, Patrick Warburton, Mark Hamill, Dax Shepard, Bryan Cranston, Julie Bowen, Wayne Brady, Bobcat Goldthwait and Aisha Tyler have participated with gusto, especially at the parties! Yes, there will be four nights of parties, beer pong, karaoke and many other ways to get yourself into all kinds of “for-material-sake” trouble.

For more information, go to lacomedyshorts.com. Oh and be sure to look for me, I’ll be the one "taking notes" in the corner.