The Levi’s® brand and two of the American Film Institute’s renowned programs, AFI FEST and the AFI CONSERVATORY, are pleased to present the six films chosen for their “Show Us The Way” short film competition for up-and-coming filmmakers. The contest, announced last November, called on prospective filmmakers to submit actionable story treatments for the chance to produce a five-minute short film about a better tomorrow at the contest site, Levi.com/ShowUsTheWay.
The films will have their respective world premieres at a special event 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, at Mann’s Chinese Theater, 6801 Hollywood Bl., Hollywood, CA. The public can pre-register for tickets at AFI.com/AFIFEST.
The six finalists, chosen by a jury of film experts, are:
- Buffalo-born, LA-based Michele Atkins was chosen for her documentary film concept BACK TO THE BASICS. In this completed film, shot across farms, community gardens and schools in California, Atkins chronicles a wave of reform where a younger generation embraces farming, gardening, and overall kinder treatment of animals and the land.
- Award-winning filmmaker Alexandra Brodsky was selected for her film CRAZY LOVE, the story of a young couple in love, their very different ideas about the future, and a pirate’s cove. Brodsky shot CRAZY LOVE at Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead, New York. Fulbright scholar Brodsky’s short films have screened at Montreal, Seattle, and Tribeca.
- Originally from Italy and a former drummer for the band Socadia, Andrea Giacomini became a filmmaker after making a music video for his band, shooting award-winning music videos and commercial spots for Fiat and Lincoln, among others. In his film Drawing the Future (A Better Day), which Giacomini shot in downtown Los Angeles, a young girl draws a better future from the back seat of her parents’ car.
- St. Louis native and now Brooklyn resident, Jason Harper learned filmmaking in Berlin. His film is about an ambitious but unhappy high school teacher, who – fresh out of Yale – has lost her nerve teaching algebra to defiant kids from Queens. Ready to quit, she encounters an unlikely savant at a local Chinese dive.
- Bill Moldt and Kelly McCrillis met in their apartment building in Portland, Oregon last New Year’s Eve. By Leap Day 2012 they’d formed Leap Year Films. Their film, OFF DAY, shot throughout the beautiful shorelines, mountains, deserts, and cities of the Pacific Northwest, shows how an unearthed letter from the past prompts a flashback of global celebration and its meaning.
- Venice-based visual designer and director Chris Olness directed and co-wrote SATIN, which was distributed by Warner Bros. and Showtime. His contest submission, COMING HOME, tells the story of astronaut David Morgan, who struggles with domestic life after returning from space. But, while surfing, he rediscovers love, friendship and beauty. It stars Benjamin Parrillo (Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as Morgan and Rachel Boston (500 DAYS OF SUMMER; In Plain Sight) as his wife.
Each of the six finalist filmmakers received a $5,000 grant to produce their short film; $500 for a Levi’s® wardrobe for their cast; and ten hours of mentorship from a regarded AFI CONSERVATORY alumna/us. AFI and the Levi’s® brand have brought all six filmmaker teams to the 2012 AFI FEST, presented by Audi, which takes place November 1-8 in Hollywood.
“The Levi’s® brand has a history of supporting undiscovered, creative talent. Our partnership with AFI is a perfect opportunity to connect with filmmakers, help them realize their vision and bring their films to the public. We called on these filmmakers to express ideas that are extremely important to our company. We are inspired by their fresh perspective and interpretations of these issues,” said Len Peltier, Vice President of Global Creative Direction.
“AFI FEST is committed to supporting and showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers. This unique partnership with the Levi’s® brand has been especially rewarding because it not only gives us a chance to discover talented filmmakers, it gives us a chance to mentor them throughout the course of the filmmaking process,” said AFI FEST Director, Jacqueline Lyanga. “This year’s festival audience is bound to be impressed with the innovative and original approaches these six finalists brought to the ‘Show Us The Way’ challenge.”
For more information about the Levi’s® brand, please visit www.levi.com. For more information about the American Film Institute, AFI FEST and AFI Conservatory, please visit www.AFI.com.
ABOUT THE LEVI’S® BRAND
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