CUFF 2011 Wrap

Well, last night wrapped up the screening of all the short films that were selected to show at the IFC Center for the Columbia University Film Festival. And last night's screening of films rounded up a strong year for the school with over 40 filmsshown at the festival. These amazing films can prove that filmmakers can tell you compelling stories in a limited amount of time. It is an art form that should not be overlooked.

Here are my highlights:

The Recorder Exam

Directed by Bora Kim

This short wins the award for me for best picture of the year, it has everything I look for in a short: an involving story, natural performances, seamless music scoring, film editing and camera work. This film is not "short" on praises that I've heard coming from the screening and it deserves every bit of it and more.

"The Recorder Exam" Trailer from CUFF 2011 on Vimeo.

Motherland

Directed by Shariq Siddiqui

This is a great comedic short film, brilliantly written and directed by Shariq Siddiqui, whom I also worked with on another film. It may sound like I'm biased but I genuinely found this film so good that I hope that allows Mr. Siddiqui to show the world what a talent he is.

Hatch

Directed by Christoph Kushnig

An interesting twist on the "kidnapping" film. This is a sensitive look at what happens when two desperate couples attempt to find solutions to their needs. Brilliantly shot on the ARRI Alexa and strong performances by the cast, this film has the potential to explore the characters' sense of loss and gain in a feature length film.

Films I worked on:

I am John Wayne

Directed by Christina Choe

Christina's film came out as exactly as I pictured it when I read the script. The script and the camera both work very well to provide that sense of "captured on the moment" story telling.

Green Plastic Sandals

Directed by Stephanie Wu

A fun suspenseful/ghost film that will have you haunted by its main antagonist, with smooth camera work and frightening score.

Under

Directed by Mark Raso

This is an intense film that leaves very little room to breathe (which is supposed to happen). It is a fresh take on couples' therapy and it will leave you changed after you watch it. This is one of those small films/big picture kind of short.

There will be an additional screening of selected films in Los Angeles on June 9th at:

Creative Artists Agency
2000 Avenue of the Stars
7:00 pm Faculty Selects Film Screening & Alumni Reception

Tickets will be available to purchase online at the CUFF website, which I will make available on this blog as soon as it is up.

POST NOTE:

For those who missed the IFC Center screenings of the short films, there will be a second chance to view them in New York City for selected films. They will play at the Miller Theater at the Columbia University campus. To purchase tickets click on this link.

Films mentioned on the blog selected to screen

-Under

-Motherland

-The Recorder Exam