2012 - Stars In Shorts - New York Premiere - 29/09

Stars in Shorts (2012)

Genre: Short Film Anthology

Rated: Unrated

Synopsis

On the heels of the wildly successful annual OSCAR® NOMINATED SHORT FILMS program, ShortsHD presents STARS IN SHORTS, an incredible collection of short films featuring some of the world's biggest actors! Judi Dench is a neophyte in the complicated landscape of internet dating in "Friend Request Pending." Colin Firth is an unusually needy neighbor to Keira Knightley in "Steve." Lily Tomlin gets lost on her way to a funeral in "Procession." Jason Alexander is a screenwriter at the end of his rope in the musical short "Not Your Time." Also including short films starring Kenneth Branagh, Julia Stiles, and others, STARS IN SHORTS is the first collection of short films to bring you everything you expect when you go to the movie theater -- laughs, drama, and, now, some of the best actors from film and television.

The seven incredible short movies showcased in ShortsHD™'s Stars in Shorts include:

The Procession

Starring Lily Tomlin and Jessie Tyler Ferguson. Tomlin and Ferguson are mother and son who get lost on their way to a burial in this laugh out loud, side-splitting comedy.

Steve

Starring Keira Knightley, Colin Firth. In Steve, Firth portrays an unusually needy neighbor to an exasperated Keira Knightley in this intriguing and quirky movie.

Sexting

Starring Julia Stiles, directed by Neil LaBute. Stiles gives a standout performance as a young woman fed up with her relationship with a married man in this Neil LaBute comedy.

Not Your Time

Starring Jason Alexander. Jason Alexander is an aspiring Hollywood screenwriter at the end of his rope in this engaging musical comedy.

Prodigal

Starring Kenneth Branagh and Jennifer Morrison. Parents of a paranormal child enact a dangerous plan to free her from the frightening grip of a clandestine organization in this suspense-filled sci-fi thriller.

After School Special

Starring Wes Bentley, Sarah Paulson and written by Neil LaBute. A man and a woman have an awkward encounter at an indoor playground in this Neil LaBute penned slice-of-life starring Sarah Paulson and Wes Bentley.

Friend Request Pending

Starring Judi Dench and Tom Hiddleston. Judi Dench captures your heart while trying to navigate the complicated landscape of internet dating.

Director's Biographies

Robert Festinger

After attending New York University Film School (which he partially funded by doing stand-up comedy), Rob worked as a screenplay reader at HBO Films. It was there he discovered the short story KILLINGS, by Andre Dubus. Rob adapted the story and collaborated with director Todd Field in what eventually became the film, IN THE BEDROOM (2001). Rob and Todd were nominated for an Academy Award, and took home Best Screenplay from The National Board of Review.

Current and recent projects include TRUST (2011), and the romantic dramedy HAMPSTEAD for Ecosse Films in London. He is currently adapting LIVING ROOM by Rachel Sherman for GLEE producer Mike Novick, and THE ADULTERESS for Parallel Films. Rob has had the honor of serving as advisor to Australia's Aurora Film Workshop, headed by Jane Campion. ANIMAL KINGDOM, SOMERSAULT, and THE BLACK BALLOON are among the films Rob script consulted on.

Rupert Friend

Rupert Friend formed Beat Pictures with Jessica Cole. He co-produced, co-wrote and co-starred in Beat's first short film, THE CONTINUING AND LAMENTABLE SAGA OF THE SUICIDE BROTHERS which was accepted into nine international festivals, winning Best Short Comedy at New Hampshire Film Festival 2009. The film has a distribution deal with Shorts International who released the film worldwide in 2010.

His feature film credits as an actor include MEET ME IN MONTENEGRO, RENEE, FIVE DAYS OF WAR, LULLABY FOR PI, THE KID, CHERI, THE YOUNG VICTORIA, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and THE LIBERTINE.

Last year he wrote and directed STEVE with Beat Pictures starring Colin Firth, which was accepted into 15 international festivals, and for which he was awarded the Crystal Image Award at Rhode Island International Film Festival 2011.

He recently completed a music video which he directed for MOBO award winners Kairos 4tet featuring Omar, for which he also wrote the lyrics.

Jay Kamen

Jay Kamen has been an award winning film and sound editor for the past 35 years. Some of his credits include A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY, CLUELESS, THE QUICK AND THE DEAD, LOOK WHO'S TALKING 2 & 3, SNEAKERS and HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. He has worked as a staff film editor at AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, PARAMOUNT, and is currently working as a staff film editor at SONY PICTURES, preparing films for the non-theatrical markets. NOT YOUR TIME has afforded Jay the opportunity to explore his first love, directing, combined with his talents for song writing and his love of theater.

Neil Labute

Mr. Labute is a writer, director and playwright. His first film, IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, debuted at the1997 Sundance Film Festival. For the stage, Labute has written plays that have been performed around the world, including the Tony Award nominated reasons to be pretty. He is also the author of the short story collection SECONDS OF PLEASURE.

Benjamin Grayson

Benjamin Grayson has had the privilege of working with some of biggest and best names in Hollywood, in a career path covering productions for 20TH CENTURY FOX STUDIOS, THE WEINSTEIN CO, NBC/UNIVERSAL, WARNER BROS TV, MARVEL STUDIOS & DREAMWORKS ANIMATION.

Grayson was born in Ft. Worth and grew up with his three brothers in Forest Cove, TX. One of his first and greatest loves in entertainment was late night comedy. With that passion fueling him, Grayson competed for and won a highly sought-after internship with LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN in the fall of 2003. While there, Grayson fell into the long form improv scene studying at the Upright Citizens Brigade. Shortly thereafter in 2004, Grayson moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in directing. Much of his experience has come from years spent under the invaluable mentorship of Greg Yaitanes (LOST, HOUSE, DAMAGES) and Kenneth Branagh (HENRY V, HAMLET, THOR).

Recently, Grayson decided to make the leap from apprentice to director. The result is PRODIGAL: a thrilling, award-winning Science Fiction short film starring Kenneth Branagh and Jennifer Morrison.

Jacob Chase

Jacob Chase has been working both in front of and behind the camera since the age of seven, originally starring in musical theater, film, and television. He earned his degree in film from Brooks Institute of Photography, where he received "The First Year Award," "The Departmental Award" and "The Achievement Award" (The highest honors) for his directorial work. Chase's first feature film THE FOUR-FACED LIAR premiered at the prestigious Slamdance Film Festival and went on to win the HBO Audience Award for "Best First Feature" at Outfest 2010. Jacob currently has a film in development at Sneak Preview Entertainment, the production company behind the Sundance hit (500) DAYS OF SUMMER. Jacob recently directed legendary playwright Neil LaBute's (The Shape of Things, Fat Pig, Some Girls) short film, AFTER-SCHOOL SPECIAL starring Sarah Paulson and Wes Bentley. AFTER-SCHOOL SPECIAL has played at 40+ film festivals including Palm Springs International Shortfest and Hollyshorts where Chase won the "Future Filmmaker Award." His long list of short films include: THE LIFTING (Winner, Best Short and Best Director, La Canada Film Festival), DETENTION (Winner, Best Dramatic Short Film, The DaVinci FIlm Festival - Official Selection, Rhode Island International Film Festival), PATIENT ZERO (Official Selection, Newport Beach Film Festival), THE FAITHFUL, HIDEAWAY and FANTASTIC FEELINGS.

Chris Foggin

Having graduated from Northumbria University in 2008 with a BA in Media Production, Chris quickly gained work within the film industry. After a successful 18 months, he was working as an Assistant Director on such prestigious films as Madonna's 'W.E', 'The Iron Lady' and 'My Week with Marilyn'.

In this time, the relationships Chris had formed with both cast and crew within the industry have helped him to complete his directorial debut film 'Friend Request Pending' starring Dame Judi Dench, Penny Ryder & Tom Hiddleston.

Chris is now developing more projects as a Director, both for television and film.

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