L.A. Comedy Shorts ready to open

Sometimes when someone laughs at something short, that’s a good thing. Like L.A. Comedy Shorts– an honest to goodness film festival in the heart of Los Angeles hosting funny, short films.

Started by funny people, for funny people, The L. A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival is a four-day, non-stop celebration of comedic short films, held March 5-8, 2009 in downtown Los Angeles. The Festival will introduce the newest and hottest comedic talent to the industry in a fun-packed weekend of screenings, parties, industry panels and a star-studded red carpet awards event.

“It’s crazy that comedies get treated like the red-headed stepchild of the cinema world,” comments Artistic Director, Gary Anthony Williams. “If you can make a movie that’s original and entertaining, with a surprising plot and great characters and make it hilarious, too…well, that deserves an award!”

The festival will take place at the newly-renovated Downtown Independent Theatre, 251 S. Main Street, in downtown Los Angeles.

The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival is run in conjunction with the L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition, sponsored by The Write Brothers. Over 1100 films and scripts were submitted.

Filmmakers and screenwriters will compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes in the following categories: The Funny Or Die Best-of-Fest Grand Prize, Atom.com Best Comedy Short Film (30 minutes or less), Atomic Wedgie Best Comedy ‘Shortie’ Short (5 minutes or less) and Atom.com Best Animated Comedy Short (30 minutes or less), as well as the Atomic Wedgie Audience Choice Award.

Following are just a few exciting details to look forward to:

 Opening Night will begin with a pre-reception at the Downtown Independent Theatre, followed by a special presentation screening of shorts by celebrity festival participants (not in competition), hosted by Aisha Tyler.

Funny or Die will present World Premieres and exclusive vintage shorts, including their first-ever web movie, “Don Dolmes, The Smallest C*ck in Porn,” a mockumentary that spoofs the legend of John Holmes, and “Craigslist Penis Photographer” starring Bob Odenkirk, dedicated to Mickey Rourke;

LACSFF Directors Gary Anthony Williams and Jeannie Roshar will present their film “I Own You,” written and starring Gary and Jeannie, directed by Gary and starring “Reno 911’s” Cedric Yarbrough.

“Nowassitall,” a music video written by, directed by and starring Aisha Tyler.

“Head, Heart and Balls...or Why I Gave Up Smoking Pot” directed by Peter Foldy and starring Adam Carolla.

“Boutonniere” directed by Coley Sohn and starring Comedy Central’s Wendi McLendon-Covey

Afterwards, guests will gather at the J Lounge for a little ‘Flavor Tripping’ featuring the latest hot trend, Miracle Fruit (see link on festival website), the small red berry that tricks the taste buds into perceiving sour flavors as sweet as candy!

 Each day will begin with Industry Panels featuring:
• Famous People Talking about Sh*t
• How to Pitch and Sell Your Comedy Idea
• Using Digital Media to Launch Your Career
• Writing a Winning Comedy Script

 Films will be screened in the afternoons and evenings. See screening schedule at www.lacomedyshorts.com.
 Festival guests can gather for late-night after-parties at such downtown destinations as the J Lounge, Lucky Strike at the new L.A. Live next to the Nokia Theater and the Downtown Independent Theater.

 The Closing Night Red Carpet Awards Gala will be hosted by Adam Carolla at Cinespace in Hollywood Sunday, March 8.

Just a few of the key celebrity players involved include Adam Carolla, Aisha Tyler, SNL alum Laraine Newman, MadTV’s Michael McDonald, Keegan Michael Key and Ike Barinholtz, as well as MadTV creators Fax Bahr and Adam Small. Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s Dana Snyder, Austin Powers’ Mindy Sterling, Boondocks’ creator Aaron McGruder, as well as Wendi McLendon-Covey, Cedric Yarbrough and Carlos Alazraqui from “Reno911”!

Key sponsors include The ONION, Funny or Die, Atom.com, AtomicWedgieTV.com, O.N.E. One Natural Experience, Benderspink, Generate, Digital College Network, Write Brothers, Cinespace, J Lounge, Lucky Strike, Kitchen 24, Miracle Fruit Man, Final Draft, Storytellerz, The Association Creative Film & Video Productions, Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, Real Water, Design Quorum, Kubilay Üner, Stokes Audio Recording & Post, Holy Black Mackerel Films, M Street Coffee, Angel City Brewery, B-side, Experiencela.com and IndieWire.com.

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