True Beauty This Night

SHORT CIRCUIT

2010-02-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

Nope, not the movie. It's called Colorado Short Circuit Invitational Film Series, it ran January 27th, and here's what they're doing: "To increase awareness and appreciation of Independent Film." 'True Beauty' was a part of the series, by invitation only, hand picked by Pete (great name) Shuermann, and it played with a great line-up of shorts.

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EULENSPIEGELEIEN!

2010-02-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

And another one of those 'tell me what it means in English and I'll buy you a beer' entries. But only if you don't have to look it up on Wikipedia. Like so. For everybody else: Till Eulenspiegel was a legendary figure from 1300s Germany, a prankster who made fun of the prevailing attitudes and mindsets at the time. Now they had a film festival named after him (btw, eule means owl - hence the logo) in Berlin that ran January 22-24, and 'True Beauty' was a part of it.

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NO FESTIVAL REQUIRED

2010-02-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

'True Beauty' was invited to the somewhat monthly screening series 'No Festival Required' in Phoenix. It played with eight other award winning short films at the Phoenix Museum of Art, and the screening was a great success. Or so I was told. And so I read on Hal Astell's blog 'Apocalypse Later': 'True Beauty This Night is a real gem, one of the best short films I've seen in a long while... It's absurdity, really, but a delightful form of absurdity that caught up a packed auditorium at the Phoenix Art Museum in its spell. True beauty this night, indeed.'
Cool.

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LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK!

2010-02-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping they speak for 'True Beauty'. We got accepted into the Premios del Público: Festival Internacional de Cine y Concurso de Cortometrajes, or, in English, the People's Award: International Short Film Festival. They're going to announce this Monday (February 8th) who wins the first prize. It's a cool $1000, so please cross your fingers. My daughter needs clothes. Really. She's only four weeks old, but already fitting into 3 months clothes. She'll be a giant! And I'll be poor!

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BEST SHORT IN MYRTLE BEACH

2010-02-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

That's the way to start up blogging again: 'True Beauty' won Best Short in the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival. Now that took place already December 1-5 2009, I just didn't have time to tell you guys (see blog entry below). Doesn't make it any less awesome.

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FOUR WEEKS GONE, JUST LIKE THAT...

2010-02-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

and here's why:

yup, that's my daughter Tenée, born New Year's Eve 2009, so I think I'm excused from not writing here. If you think making a film is hard (don't get me wrong, it is), then think again: having a kid's ten times harder. Hell, it doesn't even compare. Any little bit of time you think you've got for yourself evaporates. And I'm just the father. My wife's the real hero here. She's at the beck and call of that (now) ten pound milk-to-shit-conversion machine 24/7. And that's exactly what it means: all day, every day. The kid cries, and then the mad scramble starts trying to figure out what the hell's wrong: is she hungry? diapers full? does she need to burp? what? what is it kid? don't you like my face? and after an elaborate song and dance, she sleeps for an hour. Only to wake again, and the whole thing starts over. But I'm not complaining here: one smile from her, and I'll gladly suffer any torment.
Hey, since you asked, here's another picture. In this one she's dreaming about the next diaper she's going to happily fill:

HAPPY FESTIVUS!

2009-12-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Their mission statement: 'Festivus is the film fest for the rest of us. Our goal is to support and encourage awesomely badass, truly independent film. Festivus isn’t for the deep-pocketed Hollywood type. We’re here for the guy that pawned his car to make a film. That’s what independent cinema is about. That’s what FESTIVUS is all about.'
There you have it. I didn't pawn my car, but 'True Beauty' is still an official selection of the Festivus Film Festival, taking place in Denver, Colorado, January 14-17.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE REAL VALLEY

2009-12-29T11:48:00.000-08:00

When you see a film made in L.A., and they talk about 'The Valley', that's what they're talking about: the San Fernando Valley. Hot, dry, and now with beauty: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival, running January 7-10.

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BEST PICTURE!

2009-12-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

Everybody have a great Christmas? Or holidays, if you want to be a bit more politically correct (to the point of nausea if you ask me; getting a bit tired of the wimpish catering to every single special interest group, so afraid of stepping on any delicate but oh-so-vociferous footsies - sorry, I'm off the soap box). What I was saying was that I had a really great Christmas (Holidays... you know the rest). Got plenty of gifts, of course all of them were for my as-yet-to-be-born daughter Tenée (who's taking her own sweet time getting here young lady!), but then I got a gift just for myself. Well, me and the rest of the cast and crew of 'True Beauty'. We won 'Best Picture' at this year's Maverick Movie Awards! And in a decision obviously based on my directing on not Dustin's acting, he won 'Best Actor'! We were also nominated for 'Best Director', 'Best Screenplay', 'Best Cinematography', 'Best Actress', 'Best Editing', 'Best Soundtrack' and 'Best Sound Design/Editing'. Whew, quite a list, so everybody who worked on the film should feel really proud. According to the mission statement, the Maverick Movie Awards champion 'true independent/underground cinema created outside of the Hollywood system -- regardless of style, genre, or budget -- our hope is to re-ignite the spirit of the major film festivals and distribution pioneers by celebrating what they once valued above glitz, glamour, and movie stars: great cinema.'
So thank you everybody...

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TRUE BEAUTY AT NEW FILMMAKERS

2009-12-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

Not that I'm entirely new to the thing, but don't tell anybody. 'True Beauty' was accepted to the monthly screening series New Filmmakers at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood. Here's what they do: 'Each month, NewFilmmakers LA at Sunset Gower Studios presents red carpet screenings of documentaries, shorts and features that have been submitted from all over the world, followed by an audience Q&A with each director about their film.' Now there's a special after party, so come on out!

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AND ONE MORE

2009-11-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Just in case anybody thought the 'Best Director' award from FirstGlance Film Festival was a fluke, I won another one! This one at the Lakedance International Film Festival. Yes, it is possible that two blind and deaf judges seperated by hundreds of miles made the same irrational judgment, but I'll just celebrate.

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DOUBLE THE PLEASURE IN PHILLY

2009-11-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Not one, but two awards at the FirstGlance Film Festival in the category 'Shorts Too' (films up to 10 minutes)! One was the audience award for 'True Beauty', and another award just for me, personally, me and no-one else: I won 'Best Director'. Oh, I can hear my cast already (what? What the hell for? He didn't do anything... guy couldn't direct traffic...), but now I can meet any criticism with steely arrogance. I'm a 'Best Director', see? Man, good times ahead...

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BEND IT LIKE TRUE BEAUTY

2009-11-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

Another Award! And it's one of those cool 'Best Short' ones! 'True Beauty' won Best Short at this year's BendFilm Festival in Oregon. Everybody dance! Those Bend-people have been great. They've sent a statue (not the usual crystal thingy) and a plaque, all done by hand and cool-looking. And the local library wants to stock a copy of 'True Beauty'. So if you're ever in Bend, and have ten minutes to spare, you know where to go.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN BELOIT

2009-11-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

How very french-sounding, but ultimately in Wisconsin: 'True Beauty' was accepted to the 2010 Beloit International Film Festival, or BIFF for short (does this sound like a scrubbing pad to anybody else?), running February 18-21. The oft-quoted Moviemaker Magazine called this festival 'the next big thing' and a 'must-attend event'. Well, if we have to...

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OKLAHOMA!

2009-11-20T17:03:00.000-08:00

Yeehaw! Back in the saddle again. 'True Beauty' is part of the Traildance Film Festival in Duncan, Oklahoma, running January 22-24. That's the first one next year. Holy Hell, time's flown by. But we're marching on. There's so many more States that are entirely 'True Beauty'-less. And that will not do...

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AUDIENCE AWARD AT ROUTE 66

2009-11-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

People dig it. Well, at least they think it's funny: 'True Beauty' picked up an Audience Favorite Comedy Award at this year's Route 66 Film Festival in Illinois. So here's a shout-out to the good people in Springfield: you guys rock!

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TRUE BEAUTY IN MAMMOTH

2009-11-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

'True Beauty' has been selected to play in this year's Mammoth Film Festival (running December 9-13), another one of the Moviemaker Top 25 Film Festivals. Now I didn't know this until I read this on their website: "If you’ve ever longed to be on “American Idol for Moviemakers,” here’s your chance. A young festival rapidly growing in recognition and praise, MFF hosts a unique, elimination-style movie tournament where the audience chooses the winner." Maybe I should read the rules and regulations before I send in my screener. But hey, here we are. American Idol for Moviemakers!

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THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

2009-11-18T14:25:00.001-08:00

And they declared 'True Beauty' to be the winner of the People's Choice Award at Shortmoves International Short Film Festival in Halle, Germany. And just so nobody thinks they played favorites (me being German), I've got a chart to prove that this was all legit (so very Teutonic of the festival to provide that):

See? 'True Beauty' won ahead of a 'truly German' production. And you didn't believe me...

I CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM HERE!

2009-11-18T13:51:00.000-08:00

Or maybe the Russians can watch 'True Beauty', if they try really, really hard; 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's Anchorage Internatinoal Film Festival in Alaska, taking place December 4-17 and showing 'films worth freezing for'. And hey, my blog was referenced by a local blogger up there, so here's some blog-cross-referencing to another blog (just wanted to see how many times I can write blog; another one; bloggin' hell!): http://whatdoino-steve.blogspot.com/.

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TRUE BEAUTY BACK IN SPAIN

2009-11-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a tug-of-war for my 35mm print of 'True Beauty' going on between Spain and America. Right now Spain's winning. The print is on its way to Almería for the aptly named Almería en corto: International Short Film Festival, taking place December 4 through 12. I just hope Spain doesn't keep the print. That sucker was expensive.
Like Valladolid, Almería has its own newspaper-magazine-thing. Must be a Spanish thing:

And holy Mackerel: I just went to their website myself, and the 1st prize in the International competition gets 18,000 Euros. That's not a typo. Lots of zeros. Shit, for that they can keep the print.

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TRUE BEAUTY CAUSES GIGGLING

2009-11-18T12:19:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure if these ladies are dressed properly for a winter screening in Toronto:

Guess they make them hardy up in Canada; 'True Beauty' will screen at the Giggleshorts International Comedy Short Film Festival, running November 26-29. I sure hope red-faced Lady from Ojai doesn't read this, or see the picture, or she'd have all her suspicions about me confirmed (see post below). Then again, maybe I should just let it go. There. Done.

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HOW BIZARRE or OH... HEY!

2009-11-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

So here's something I thought I should share since it left me completely rattled, and not just because it showed me the depths of human insensibility and obtuseness, but it made clear with what tenacity ignorant people cling to their bewildered state. Last Friday night I made my way up to the town of Ojai (which is not pronounced like a murdering ex-football player who can't put on his gloves, but more like 'ohay') for a screening at the Ojai Film Festival. The venue was small, the audience smaller, and the screening went well, so I bounded up to the stage for my Q&A with optimism and confidence. Having done a few of those, I felt ready for pretty much any question, and answered the reasonable ones with what I consider aplomb and maybe even hints of wit, but just as the session wound down, one more hand shot up. "This is not really a question, more of a comment" said the lady with the red face. It looked like she was about to explode in her seat. "Alright, last one" I thought, smiling, ready for an unexpected observation, or maybe even a compliment? Well, it was unexpected. "You had me until the end..." red-faced lady said "... but then it turned into a portrayal of women as victims..." I think my smile froze on my face when she kept going on. What the fuck is she talking about? "... and it just seems like the ultimate male fantasy what you did there." Red-faced woman ended saying. And I realized she looked like boiled lobster because she was raving mad. At me! I felt like somebody just hit me. How can anybody mis-read the film this much? How is it possible for two human beings to be so utterly, diametrically opposed? Did she even watch the film? Without going into plot details, I explained how through Elise's actions in the film she's actually anything but the victim, and all power and decision-making lie with her. Nope, red-faced woman wouldn't have none of it. She had made up her little mind and stuck with it. The rest of the audience came to my defense with the exception of one meek man who said I pushed the envelope with that one, 'buddy'. No, I didn't push any envelope. Buddy. Only if you read into the film what's not there, and add to that in a fit of creative misinterpretation what you think you saw, or your own skewed view of the world, then yeah, maybe. But then it's not me who's pushing any envelope, but you yourself. Oh man, I think I had to get that off my chest. And one last thing, red-faced lady: the ultimate male fantasy, at least in my case, involves a lot more nudity. I'm just saying...

OFFICIAL SELECTION AT FOYLE FILM FESTIVAL

2009-11-11T14:07:00.000-08:00

The 22nd Foyle Film Festival celebrates ‘Art & The Cinema’, November 20-28, and 'True Beauty's' part of that. The festival takes place in Derry, Northern Ireland. Derry is home to the Bogsite area, where a battle between Catholic rioters and police in 1969 started 'The Troubles', the Northern Ireland conflict. The Bogsite is also where 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' happened. I sure do hope they don't screen anywhere near there. Just in case...

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BEST SHORT FILM IN SAN DIEGO

2009-11-11T13:58:00.000-08:00

Well, this time it's not only me who thinks that, but I got validation from the judges: 'True Beauty' won best short at this year's San Diego Film Festival! And this is pretty much the only Award Ceremony I didn't go to in the area.

See? I'm nowhere in that picture. Darnit! I could have been going up to the podium, nervous as hell, stammered some incoherent things, surprisingly thanked my high school principal, Herr Katzenwadel, and sat down with a red face but a hunking glass trophy. Well, I still got the trophy.

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OH THE HORROR...

2009-11-11T11:32:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, I just don't know what festival programmers are thinking. In one festival 'True Beauty' is in the Suspense/Thriller category, and now in Falstaff, it's in the 'Comedy and Horror' section. Well, maybe it's just a way of saying it's horribly funny. Or humorously horrible? Either way, 'True Beauty' is an official selection of the Falstaff Film Festival, taking place November 14-20 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

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OH CANADA

2009-11-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

Man, am I behind in this blog. I know I don't really have this massive readership, holding their breath for any news regarding the latest exploits of the short, but I feel bad. Just for myself. I'm so behind I have to write about something that already happened, and it should have been a 'hey! look at this! an award!' kinda thing. Well, here it is: HEY! LOOK AT THIS! AN AWARD! 'True Beauty' won 'Best Independent Narrative' at the Canadian International Annual Film/Video Festival. Canada is a beautiful place indeed.

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INDIA!

2009-11-04T15:41:00.000-08:00

Land of a thousand mysteries, 330 million deities and probably even more festivals. Plus one: The Kalpanirjhar International Film Festival has accepted... well, is screening 'True Beauty' right now. The festival takes place in Kolkata and will run until the 5th of November, which is tomorrow. Sorry for the late notice. Not that I expected anybody to jump on a plane and head on over there. But I never was quite sure if the film even made it over there. I was approached by a Nilanjan Hajra from the US Consulate General in Kolkata about the film, and I had to send it to a so-called 'pouch address' in Virgina that would route the film to India. Otherwise it would surely get stuck in Indian customs. Felt like a John LeCarre novel. Sending something through a dead-tree-drop. Only without all the danger. Or intrigue. Or anything sembling interest. I just sent something to an address in the US. Big deal. Man, this one sounded better in my head...

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EVERYTHING IS BETTER IN TEXAS

2009-11-03T15:42:00.000-08:00

The Lone Star International Film Festival is a bit more beautiful; they've accepted 'True Beauty' to their 3rd Annual event, running November 11 through 15.
Yeehaaw!

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IT'S A LITTLE BIT FUNNY...

2009-11-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

I wasn't really upset for winning 'Best Suspense/Thriller' at the Indie Gathering (hell, I take any award I can get my grubby hands on), but I always thought the genre designation was a bit suspect. But with the LA Comedy Festival, running November 5 through 22, there's really no complaining. It is, after all, 'the place for all things funny'...
'True Beauty' plays this Thursday night at the ACME Theater in Hollywood.

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TEXAS ROCKS

2009-11-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

After Florida (the state clearly obsessed with 'True Beauty'), Texas scores second place in the competition of 'every man, woman and child needs to see True Beauty'. Rockport, Texas is holding an annual Film Festival November 5 through 8, and we're in.

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TRUE BEAUTY PAST THE BREAKERS

2009-10-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to see how obscure I can get with the titles and people still understand what the hell I'm talking about. Two more hints: Song. And:

Exactly: 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's Santa Monica International Film Festival, taking place November 4-10. You're so smart...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN AUSTIN

2009-10-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

I like Dallas, I lived in Dallas for over 15 years, but when it comes to the only really cool city in Texas, there's just one: Austin. It's a great place, and they've got a great film festival. Usually at festivals they give out awards to some half-dead celebrity from forty years ago, or Errol Flynn's stuntman's wardrobe assistant. Now in Austin, Michale Keaton is giving Ron Howard an award. That kind of festival. And 'True Beauty' is part of it. So I'm going out there, and if for nothing else then for the filmmaker happy hour Friday night.
The Austin Film Festival runs October 22-29.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE LION'S DEN

2009-10-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should have translated the titel of this film festival earlier then today when I decided to write about it: 'True Beauty' was accepted into this years La Boca del Lobo International Short Film Festival, taking place in Madrid, Spain, October 21-30. The Lion's Den. From what I hear it's a slugfest with shorts being merciless booed off the screen. I mean, their logo's got two crossed sabres...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN ASHEVILLE

2009-10-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

After spending twenty minutes trying to figure out something interesting about Asheville, I gave up, and here's why: Asheville is too nice. Not only because they accepted 'True Beauty' in their festival this year, running November 12 through 15, but because it is one of the '50 Most Alive Places to Be' (Modern Maturity), one of 'America's Top 25 Arts Destinations' (AmericanSytle), the 'most vegetarian-friendly' small city in America (PETA), and even the 'Happiest City for Women (Self Magazine). Well, there goes my cynism, right out the window.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE LAND OF THE DÖNER

2009-10-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Polish up them Umlauts: Turkish has got to be the language with the craziest spelling without completely going overboard and throwing the Latin alphabet out the window: 'gerçek güzellik bu gece' was accpeted into the Istanbul International Short Film Festival, running November 4 through 11. For the trivia nerds: Istanbul is the only city in the world situated on two continents, and depending on what side of the Bosphorus the screening is held, this could turn out to be an Asian premiere. But we might never know...

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Tell you what; just out of curiosity, I did a google-translation-thing on 'True Beauty', and I stand corrected: the craziest spelling might be Icelandic: sannur fegurð þessa nótt. what the f&*%? Who comes up with these letters?

TRUE BEAUTY ON THE LAKE

2009-10-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

Oh sure, we've all heard about Sundance, Slamdance, maybe Raindance (booh!), or even Dances with Films, but those are just that: well known. Enter Lakedance. In Sandpoint, Idaho. And as of today, that's the only -dance festival I care about (until of course the others - except Raindance - booh! - call; then I do care greatly). 'True Beauty' will play November 5th @ 7:30 at the Panida Theater as part of The Lakedance International Film Festival.

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TRUE BEAUTY, NOW WITH HONORS

2009-10-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

I had to dig this up myself while obsessivly googling my film: 'True Beauty' received an "Honorable Mention - Comedy" at the 7th iP Short Film Contest. Funny thing is that they didn't 'mention' that to me. iP stands for Independent Producer, and according to their website they are 'Hollywood's #1 Networking Source'. Great, now all I have to wait for is some bigshot in Hollywood to obsessively google my film and I should be set...

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TRUE BEAUTY AND EUROPE

2009-10-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

This one's not just one lousy city in Europe but all over the map: Barcelona! Moscow! Athens! Stockholm! Budapest! ... and so on. You get the idea. It's a traveling Film Festival, the aptly named European Film Festival is, and 'True Beauty's along for the ride. It's Europe's biggest Indie Fest (so they say), and this here has nothing to do with it, it just looks cool:

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TRUE BEAUTY IN SALFORD

2009-10-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

One thing European cities got that's very cool is them coats of arms. They all got lions and dragons and ornamental stuff that makes it look oh-so-European-aristocratic-snobbish. The stuff you find on a Marc Ecko shirt. Salford's got this one:
Pretty cool, right? Now here's the interesting part (and not that I'm projecting here), but guess what is the twin city of Salford since 1966? Clermont-Ferrand. Need I say more?
The Salford Film Festival takes place November 20th-24th.

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WHAT STATE LOVES 'TRUE BEAUTY'?

2009-10-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

If you answered Kansas, you're wrong. It's Florida! And yet another city agreed to show our film. This time Miami, for the 8th Miami Short Film Festival, November 13-22nd. Maybe it's the heat, maybe it's the women in bikinis or the old people playing golf, who knows, but Florida, how we love thee...

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TRUE BEAUTY GOES MILE HIGH

2009-10-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Not talking about drugs here: 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's Starz Denver Film Festival. This is big news people. They've been doing this for the last 32 years, and it's a major stop on the festival circuit. I mean, they had that guy on the red carpet a few years back:

Know what I mean?

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TRUE BEAUTY AND OJAI

2009-10-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who thinks of 100% Vitamin C? Or a black dude with an ill-fitting glove? Probably not, but 'True Beauty' was accepted into the 10th Ojai Film Festival, taking place November 5-8 in Ojai, Ventura. Got nothing to do with health or crazy people, see?

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TRUE BEAUTY IN FILMSTOCK 11

2009-09-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Filmstock 11 in Luton, England has accepted 'True Beauty' to their line-up. It's a festival run by these guys:

...and I really like their attitude about a lot of things. Right now especially of including our film. This looks to be a great little festival, running November 5-15. If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself:

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STUPID ECONOMY...

2009-09-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

Now it's personal: we were told that for economic reason, they people at the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Canada had to pull my film. Yes, we were in, but I don't have a copy with French subtitles, and because they don't have the money, they won't have the electronic-subtitling-thing-a-madooder. So 'True Beauty' is out. When are they going to fix that worldwide economy so I can screen my short with impunity at every festival that wants it? Huh? Any day now would be good...

THE LOVE AFFAIR WITH FLORIDA CONTINUES

2009-09-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

I will not rest until every town, every city, every retirement home in Florida has screened 'True Beauty'. Back in the sunshine state, and this time at the Orlando Film Festival, running November 4-8. What's cool about this festival is that all screenings are free! Now that's the way to run a festival when the economy's in the shitter.

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TRUE BEAUTY ON THE EMERALD ISLE

2009-09-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

The 10th annual Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' to the line-up, and if last year's anything to judge by, it's going to be cool: in 2008 they had Liam Neeson, Kirsten Sheridan (Oscar nominated writer for 'In America') and John Carney (director of 'Once') as judges. I wonder what they all have in common... The festival takes place October 31 through November 7 in Tralee, Ireland.
and to everybody who's reading this blog:

Sláinte go saol agat,
Bean ar do mhian agat.
Leanbh gach blian agat,
is solas na bhflaitheas tareis antsail seo agat.--

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YO! TRUE BEAUTY IN THE PARK!

2009-09-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Finally got an excuse to go there: 'True Beauty' not only was accepted into the Yosemite Film Festival, taking place at the Tenaya Lodge October 23 and 24, but we also won Best Short Film there. Yes, they give out the awards before the actual screenings, and in this case, I love it!

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TRUE BEAUTY BACK IN FLORIDA

2009-09-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

That on the left pretty much says it all; where it is, when, who to call... yup, 'True Beauty' is part of that. If anybody's out there in Florida around the 24th of September, they're having a kick-off party where each guest 'receives a complementary drink served in a lighted FLIFF2009 souvenir glass'. I want that. A lighted glass. Drinking when the electricity's out. Sweet.

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TRUE BEAUTY AT 24FPS

2009-09-17T16:15:00.001-07:00

This looks like to be a good festival, out there in the middle of nowhere we call Texas. They've accepted five films so far (guess who's on top of the list? Not sure if this means anything, but I'm shamelessly reading into this), and three of the other films I've seen play in festivals and pick up prizes! The whole schedule will be made up out of only twenty films, to be shown in a curated exhibition at the historic Paramount Theater in Abilene, November 6-7.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

2009-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favorite books growing up was John Irving's 'Hotel New Hampshire' with its labyrinthine plot (yes, we had that in Germany), and now 'True Beauty' is going where I've never been. The New Hampshire Film Festival takes place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 15-18. Now, come to think of it, Portsmouth featured prominently in another writer's work I devoured when I grew up: H.P. Lovecraft (yes, we had that in Germany too). Oh, the circle of life...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN VENICE

2009-09-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

Attention grabbing headline resolves into explanation that's still cool, but doesn't quite have the glitz and glamour the original conjures up: The Other Venice Film Festival accepted 'True Beauty'. Which other one? Well, that's what the festival's called. Other Venice Film Festival. Hence the headline, see? It's a double play, makes you think that... and then... never mind. The festival's in Venice Beach, October 15 through 18, and the theater looks really cool:

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TRUE BEAUTY GETS BEND

2009-09-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Not a typo: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Bendfilm Festival, taking place October 8-11 in (not a surprise) Bend, Oregon. I like their whole attitude. They believe that 'film festivals are best experienced in a relaxed atmosphere where the next venue is a block from the last and the words "velvet rope" apply to fashion choices; not exclusive access ordeals.' Amen to that.

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ROCK ON TRUE BEAUTY

2009-09-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

Seems there's not only 25 festivals worth the entry fee, there's also 25 of the 'coolest' film festivals according to MovieMaker Magazine, and we just happen to get into one: 'True Beauty' is an official selection at the Indie Memphis Film Festival. Smokin'...

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TO HELL AND BACK

2009-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Not quite sure why 880 yards of hell are in Bay City Michigan, but Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival has accpeted 'True Beauty' to this year's edition, running October 1-4. We're playing closing night, and I take that as a good thing.

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TRUE BEAUTY AND THE CARNIES

2009-09-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

Watch for those small hands! 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's Coney Island Film Festival, going on October 2-4. And again, I wish there were more money (well, any money would be great) for travel: seems they have an "infamous opening night celebration" featuring "live performances by sideshow & burlesque stars." Something along the lines of this:

Badass Hookers! No, three exlamation points: HOOKERS!!!

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT CINEMA CITY

2009-09-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Man, things move fast here in the entertainment capitol. We just got accepted to the Cinema City International Film Festival in Century City, and the screening is next week, on September 10. Bing Bang Boom. Next! I'm missing the foreplay a bit, the endless emails about deliverables and photos, director's statements, the negotiations about screening format, the delicate dance around attendance and what the festival can offer to get you there. Oh no, nothing like this in Century City. You're screening next week. See you there. Well, you just might...

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CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

2009-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Apparently not. Even though it's a big world, and Spain's a big country, there apparently can only be one. Valladolid that is. Which means Pamplona's out. Fine, I'll explain: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Valladolid International Film Festival, but one of the stipulations is that the film cannot be screened in Spain before them. They've been doing this for the last 54 years, so I guess they've got the market cornered. So, sadly, I had to pull out of Pamplona. They were kind about it, but it sucks. Then again, another festival! And this one's got its own magazine, the Seminci. That's kinda neat...

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JIMMY BARNES GOT IT ALL WRONG...

2009-08-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

... there's a second prize, and we won it (if you're wondering what this refers to: the Aussie Bruce Springsteen). The Landlocked Film Festival in Iowa gave us Second Place in the Narrative Short category. That makes it lucky thirteen in prizes. Congrats to everybody who worked on the film.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE

2009-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Looks middle eastern, but it's more western Quebec. 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Canada. There might not be that many people up there (are there?), but they sure got a cool poster. The festival takes place October 31 through November 5.

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IM WESTEN WAS NEUES

2009-08-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yup, another obscure reference: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the 24. Unabhängiges FilmFest Osnabrück in Germany. So, you ask? Erich Maria Remarque was born in Osnabrück, and he wrote 'All Quiet on the Western Front' one of the - if not the - best anti-war books ever written, and the German title is 'Im Westen nichts Neues', which roughly translates to 'nothing new in the west'. I think you can figure out the rest.
The festival runs October 21-25.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION IN SOUTH DAKOTA

2009-08-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

Seems the mid-west is coming around. 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's South Dakota Film Festival in Aberdeen, running September 18-20.

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SMØRREBRØD SMØRREBRØD RØM PØM PØM PØM...

2009-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

In case you're wondering (you probably are), this is what the Swedish chef in the Muppet Show used to sing at the beginning before he launched his kitchen utensils. At least in Germany. I'm sure it was something else in the original version.

Then again, in Germany, the Swedish Chef was a Dane. Oh hell, where is this all going? Could have been so simple: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Norrköping Filmfestival Flimmer in Sweden. There. October 2-11. 'nuff.

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STUPID RAINDANCE

2009-08-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

The vagaries of film festivals. We got accepted into the Raindance Film Festival in London, but only on their acceptance letter did they mention that the film would have to be a London premiere. A bit late I think. The submission rules on their website didn't say anything about that. And so 'True Beauty' was un-invited. A polite British no is still a no. And an American 'kiss my a...' is exactly that.

Sorry, no 'MORE INFO' 'cause I'm mad.

TRUE BEAUTY IN SAN DIEGO

2009-08-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

That looks like a good one. I ask again: who's with me? Especially since it's also voted 'Best Party Film Festival' by the Film Festival Survival Guide. Gotta go! 'True Beauty' is playing Friday, Sept. 25 @ 5:30 pm and Saturday, Sept. 26 @ 3 pm. I'm going to be there on Friday, so come and find me. I'll probably be at the Tequila station afterwards.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE BIG EASY

2009-08-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

'True Beauty' is going where the best food in the world's coming from: New Orleans. I don't know what it is about the French and Spanish mingling and fermenting in that swamp, but what they came up with in the kitchen is pure heaven. Or maybe the devil had a hand in it. Remember Angel Heart?
The festival runs October 8-15, and if any rich person's reading this: I need money so I can go.

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VIDEO REVIEW OF 'TRUE BEAUTY'

2009-08-18T14:46:00.001-07:00

The good folks at the Festivus Film Festival posted a short video review of 'True Beauty' on their website:

www.festivusfilmfestival.com

Doesn't mean we're in (as they're quick to point out), but it does mean Dan Ito likes the film. Dan Ito being the reviewer, if that wasn't clear...

OFFICIAL SELECTION AT POPPY JASPER

2009-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought film festival names can't get weirder. 'True Beauty' was accepted into the 6th Annual Poppy Jasper Film Festival in Morgan Hill, California, running November 13-15. One of the '25 Film Festivals worth the entry fee (Moviemaker Magazine)'. I know you're curious (I was too), so here's what Poppy Jasper is:

It's a "world-renowned, semi-precious gemstone characterized by red and "poppy-yellow" circles (orbs) on a field of white or black".
The things you learn by reading this blog...

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DER WALD UND DIE BÄUME, DIE BÄUME UND DER WALD...

2009-08-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

Something German you say? How'd you guess: Filmfest Eberswalde accepted 'True Beauty' to their 6th edition, October 3rd-10th, in Eberswalde, Germany. And in true German fashion, the acceptance e-mail came prim and proper, with all pertinent information neatly spelled out and even a signature:

Seriously, who signs emails? How grandly Teutonic. Love it!

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TRUE BEAUTY IN CANADA, EH?

2009-08-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Ever so friendly, the Edmonton International Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' into this year's line-up. I feel like having a beer and a hockey fight. Well, at least the beer will happen. The festival runs September 25 through October 3.

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And a special shout-out to David Brolin, one of the few confirmed readers of this blog. Carry on, David!

JURY AWARD IN STONY BROOK

2009-08-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

I look a bit stunned, but I think it's the free drinks...

That officially makes it a dozen: 'True Beauty' won the Jury Award for Best Short in the Stony Brook Film Festival in New York last weekend! It was a great festival, with 1000+ people each night, and in the end we won. Very generous people out on the east coast. I came home with a suitcase full of goodies (looked like I just robbed a Best Buy on the way) and great memories. Thank you Stony Brook!

oh hell, one more picture (I'm in love with this shiny thing):

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TRUE BEAUTY IN ANOTHER VALLEY

2009-08-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Nope, still not that one, but this one's good too: the Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' in this year's festival, running September 9-13. Somebody just called me (an actual phone call from a live person - nice touch) to let me know the good news. And now I'm telling you. About as hot as this info here gets...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN NORTH CAROLINA

2009-08-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

No State is safe, no city too southern: The Charlotte Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' to this year's festival. And rightfully so. Charlotte, the 'Queen City', was named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg. There you have it. They had no choice.

TRUE BEAUTY IN THE BIG APPLE

2009-08-09T16:00:00.001-07:00

For an encore in that great city of New York, this time at the Tribeca cinemas: 'True Beauty' was selected for the New York City Short Film Festival. They've only accepted 25 out of over 1000 submissions, and looking at the line-up, they did pick some of the best: I recognize films that played at many other festivals, and getting prizes to boot.

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TEASER

2009-08-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

TRUE BEAUTY IN HIGH DEF

2009-08-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's HDFest. This is so cutting-edge news that they don't even have dates for the festival yet. But I swear, we're in...

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IT'S LIKE PASTA, ONLY WITH FILM

2009-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Nocicortinfestival 2009 (I dare you not think about 'gnocci') has accepted 'True Beauty' to their festival. Italy! One of my favorite countries. Now more then ever. The festival takes place August 20-21 (hell, that's like in three weeks; you'd think they notify people a bit earlier... ah, Italians)

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NEUTRALITY, CHEESE, CHOCOLATE, TRUE BEAUTY

2009-08-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

You guessed it: Shnit Kurzfilmfestival in Switzerland has accepted 'True Beauty'. Guess I could translate: Shnit (means cut) Short film festival. The german language just loves long compound words. Here's one: Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft. I'm not making this up. It's a real word, and if you can tell me what it means, I'll buy you a beer.
Shnit Kurzfilmfestival takes place in Bern, Switzerland, October 7-11.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE VALLEY

2009-08-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

Not that Valley, but the Rio Grande Valley. Mexican border. Illegal immigrants. Drugs. Heat. And now beauty: CineSol 2009 in Texas has accepted 'True Beauty' to this year's festival, taking place September 11-20.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION IN TACOMA

2009-08-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

I think this makes it officially 50 film festivals: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Tacoma Film Festival, taking place October 1-8. That Pacific Northwest is getting a good pelting of 'True Beauty', with Washougal, Port Townsend, Bumbershoot and now Tacoma. Way to go Pacific-Northwest-Film-Festival-Programmers!

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IN THE LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD

2009-08-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Or New Zealand. Your call. The Canterbury Short Film Festival invited 'True Beauty' to take part in this year's festival, running September 14 through 16. This is retarded-beautiful:

True Beauty indeed. But makes you wonder: who's going to show up for the screening?

TRUE BEAUTY IN THE UK

2009-08-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Sounds tasty: the Portobello Film Festival in London has accepted 'True Beauty' to this year's edition, taking place September 3-21. It's the UK's biggest independent film competition, and if you peruse their website, it's pretty impressive who's screened their stuff there before us.

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TRUE BEAUTY AND THE FROGS

2009-08-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend making a short film if you want to learn about geography. 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Off-Courts Trouville Festival in, well, Trouville-Sur-Mer in France. It's quiet beautiful there and looking at this picture, I think I might have been there on one of the countless trips to France with our father when we were young:

And again I ask: where's the travel budget? Seriously...

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TRUE BEAUTY AT THE BEACH

2009-08-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

Huntington Beach that is. The SoCal Film Fest has accepted 'True Beauty' in this year's edition, taking place September 14-23. Pretty sure we've covered every region in Los Angeles by now. Except Compton maybe...

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OFFICIAL SELECTION IN STRASBOURG

2009-07-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

Europe's coming through, again. 'True Beauty' just got accepted into the Strasbourg International Film Festival, running August 28 through September 6. Kinda like a home-coming. When I grew up in Germany it wasn't too far from Strasbourg. Our father, a francophile for no apparent reason (thought he spoke French perfectly, but I think the natives just smiled and nodded to make him go away) dragged us every summer vacation to France. France, France, France. Up and down. Left and Right. Every battlefield of WWI and the sequel. Maybe that's why the French were not that keen on the old man. The short of the story is that I've been to Strasbourg before. And now I'm kinda going back. Thought that was neat.

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GERMANY! FINALLY...

2009-07-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Had my doubts about that fatherland of mine. Felt like I wasn't good enough to play in my own home. But here comes Halle, to save the day: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Shortmoves International Short Film Festival, taking place in Halle, Germany, September 18-19. Na also. Geht doch!

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or, if you're adventurous (or German)

MEHR INFORMATION

BEST AMERICAN SPECTRUM SHORT IN INDIANAPOLIS

2009-07-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

'True Beauty' won 'Best American Spectrum Short Film' (guess it's a fancy way of saying Best American Short Film; I admit, it does sound cooler; long parenthetical, sorry) at the Indianapolis International Film Festival last weekend! Not much more to say but KICKASS!

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DUSTIN SEAVEY NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTOR

2009-07-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

If you've seen the film, you know he deserves it: Dustin has been nominated for Best Actor at the Feel Good Film Festival. Of course he couldn't have done it without me, directing him. So where's my nomination? Huh? But seriously, it's good to see his work recognized. Awards Ceremony is Sunday, August 9th. Cross your fingers...

OFFICIAL SELECTION AT FIRSTGLANCE

2009-07-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia has selected 'True Beauty' to screen in this year's festival, taking place in, you guessed it, Philadelphia, October 22-25. I'm so feeling the brotherly love...

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TRUE BEAUTY FEELS GOOD ON OPENING NIGHT

2009-07-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Not only has 'True Beauty' been accepted into this year's Feel Good Film Festival, but we're playing opening night on August 7th at the Egyptian. They're taking the 'Feel Good' very serious at this festival: There's a vodka reception right before the screening, so I'm expecting happy drunk people (I'll be one of them), then a fight, teary declarations of love, and all ending in a big group hug. I'm so there...

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT SAUSALITO FILM FESTIVAL

2009-07-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Possibly the prettiest town in America (according to me; no, I haven't seen all the pretty towns in America, but this is my blog) has accepted 'True Beauty' in this year's festival. The Sausalito Film Festival runs August 21st - 23rd and shows 'films that speak to our naturally rebellious nature, our creative soul, our passion for cultural understanding'. And now, thanks to 'True Beauty', also to our inner bonehead...

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TRUE BEAUTY GETTING ITS KICKS...

2009-07-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

... in the 8th Annual Route 66 Film Festival. It takes place September 19-20 in Springfield, Illinois, and is on the list of 25 Festivals worth the fee in Moviemaker Magazine. I couldn't agree more.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT PORT TOWNSEND FILM FESTIVAL

2009-07-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Pacific-Northwest, long declared by my wife to be her favorite region, is making a strong case for becoming mine: after Washougal and the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle, Port Townsend decided to accept 'True Beauty' in their 10th Annual Film Festival. There don't seem to be that many people in Port Townsend (8,334 at the 2000 census), so the population-to-True-Beauty-This-Night-exposure ratio might turn out to be rather high!

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FILE THAT UNDER WHAT THE &$@#?

2009-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Didn't really expect that: 'True Beauty' won 1st Prize at the Indie Gathering in the category Suspense / Thriller. (record scratch) What? Really. I can prove it too: http://www.theindiegathering.com/2009winners.htm.
I mean I'm not complaining. I'll take it! Suspense it is! I'm thrilled...

SPECIAL JURY MENTION IN THE PALACE

2009-07-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hope 'Special' means good and not... well, special: 'True Beauty' got a Special Jury Mention at the 7th In The Palace Short Film Festival. Can't buy anything for that, but I can brag about it. Like I'm doing here.

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BEST SCREENPLAY AT TOFIFEST

2009-07-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

'True Beauty' won Best Screenplay in the Short Film Competition at Tofifest in Poland, the festival with 'angry cinematography' as one of the judging criterias. Well, nobody's angry anymore. At least not until I get my next bank statement.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT 1 REEL FILM FESTIVAL

2009-07-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

There's an advantage to making a 'short' short film: 'True Beauty' was accepted in the 1 Reel Film Festival, a part of Bumbershoot, Seattle's city-wide music and arts festival. They've been doing this Bumbershoot thing for 39 years now, and over 150,000 visitors swarm the city of Seattle over Labor Day weekend to see 'the best in music, film, comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, performance and visual arts'. And now 'True Beauty'...

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HIGHS AND LOWS OF FESTIVALS

2009-07-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

There was some great news yesterday: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Action on Film Festival in Pasadena. Yay! Then it turns out the festival is at exactly the same time as LA Shorts Fest. Crap! Promised the good folks at LA Shorts that I wouldn't show the film anywhere in LA county prior to their screening. And so, sadly, we got pulled from Action on Film. But hey, in the end, it's a good problem to have...

TRUE BEAUTY IN THE CAPITAL

2009-06-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

Finally some sense in Washington: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the DC Shorts Film Festival. One of the leading festivals in the nation, it takes place September 10-17, and I only hope it's not run by lobbyists and special interest groups like the rest of town. Unless there's one for ten-minute-long-quirky-romantic-comedies-shot-by-a-German-in-L.A.? If so, anybody got their number?

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BEST COMEDY SHORT IN RENO

2009-06-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Funny thing happened in Reno: 'True Beauty' won two awards. Best Comedy Short and Audience Choice for Best Comedy Short. I even got to shake hands with Michael Blake, Academy Award winning Screenwriter of 'Dances with Wolves'. He gave a great speech at the festival. I didn't. Well, he's got the golden statue at home. I've got a crystal star now on the fireplace. Small steps, small steps...

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TRUE BEAUTY RUNS WITH BULLS

2009-06-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

Well, sort of. 'True Beauty' got accepted in this year's Pamplona International Film Festival in Spain. The festival takes place from October 5 through 10, three months after the running of the bulls. Unless this is how they decide who's gonna win the film festival. Better grab some running shoes. ¡Olé!

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