By: Allen Cardoza
The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival took place the last weekend of April at the small, aptly-named Downtown Independent Theater. Filmmakers from all over the globe submitted their work-with lengths ranging as short as one minute to some which approached full sit-com pilot size.
The movie, “To Scent and Back,” directed by Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman, and Scott Yacyshyn, performed on the classical theme of somebody being magically pulled away by the sweet aroma of freshly baked pie. Unfortunately, this time our hero’s journey is a rough one that eventually leads to his doom.
The film To Smell and Back (dir. Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman, Scott Yacyshyn) played on the classic trope of someone being magically pulled away by the sweet smell of freshly baked pie, only this time our protagonist’s journey is a rough road that ultimately leads to his doom.
An animated piece, named “Last Call” took a hilarious approach to a suicide-prevention hotline. A desperate man calling in for help is forced to converse with an automated-voice system that was as impersonal and efficient as those used by airlines and credit card companies.
Director Bevin Carnes talked about how the movie she made, which lasted all of three minutes, took her a full six months to complete. The dedication paid off because it was a clever film.
That is to not say artistic work could not be made on a short schedule. For example, “Timeless Seasons: Shea Butter” was created by Hannah Bos, Tonya Glanz, and Amy Heidt as part of a larger Internet series about a troubled home-shopping network. The three creators confessed that they generally shot as many as six episodes in a single day.
Those attending the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival appeared to have a fabulous time…which is what comedy is all about anyway. While independent cinema has often been considered both dark and depressing, it is refreshing to see a powerful group of filmmakers interested in delivering joy and humor into our lives.
Learn more about Allen Cardoza. Stop by his website.