THEWRAP.COM LAUNCHES INAUGURAL ONLINE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL “THE SHORTLIST”
(Los Angeles, CA) – August 10, 2012 –
Los Angeles, August 8, 2012 – TheWrap.com launches the first annual “ShortList” Online Film
festival, a first of its kind from August 20-September 4, 2012.
As film moves increasingly to the mobile space, “The ShortList” will showcase 12 award-winning
short films hand-picked from the world’s top film festivals of the past year. The shorts will be
hosted on TheWrap.com’s website and through its mobile platform and will also be available on
MTV’s film sites, Film.com and Nextmovie.com.
The ShortList represents the best of the best of filmmaking in the format that young filmmakers
and enthusiasts use most often: shorts.
“The festival is part of TheWrap’s mission to shine a light on the most exciting talent in
filmmaking,” said Sharon Waxman, CEO and Founder of TheWrap. “Film has moved to the
mobile space, and we are excited to bring these high quality shorts to our audience and to our
readers in the heart of the entertainment industry.”
“We are thrilled to offer our support to this inaugural festival. The independent film community
is primed for a renaissance and we are thrilled to offer our support to this festival that will bring
tremendous exposure and awareness to these up-and-coming filmmakers,” said Chris McGurk,
Chairman and CEO of Cinedigm.
“From its beginning, MTV has inspired and served as an artistic playground for short form
creative,” said Van Toffler, President Viacom Music & Logo Group. “Promos, music videos and
various shorts made by aspiring filmmakers have always been a part of MTV’s fabric. We’re
excited to be a part of this effort to continue celebrating new talent, new art forms and new
platforms.” Two awards will be given, an Audience Award chosen by viewers’ online votes and a
Jury Prize chosen by the Industry jury.
Winning films will be announced at a special live event on September 4 in Los Angeles and will
air on ePix, Viacom’s film channel, as well as on one of the MTV screens. The winners will also
receive a “first look” deal at a leading independent film studio to be announced on September 4.
“The ShortList” 5-member jury panel is comprised of industry heavyweights:
Howard Cohen, Co-President of Roadside Attractions
Cassian Elwes, producer, Evolution Entertainment
Lynette Howell, producer, (Blue Valentine, Half Nelson)
Zachary Quinto, actor and producer (Star Trek, Heroes, Margin Call)
Michelle Satter, Founding Director, Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program
The festival is programmed by Nancy Collet, previously head of programming for AFI and a Film
Festival consultant.
The programming team is finalizing their selections and will announce the 12 films on August
20.
Subscribers to TheWrap’s First Take newsletter will receive one entry per day embedded in
their morning email, where they can vote. Viewers can also screen the films at any time during
the festival: http://shortlistfilmfestival.com and vote from August 20 thru September 4.