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Aspen Film announced its special events and programs for the 25th Annual Aspen Shortsfest. Aspen Film, a year-round film arts and education organization, will bring filmmaking talent from around the globe to Aspen's Wheeler Opera House and Carbondale's Crystal Theatre from April 5-10, 2016. From the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, festival-goers will embark on a film-filled journey featuring nightly screenings and moderated conversations mixed with opportunities to interact with visiting filmmakers in lively discussions.

Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short comedy, drama, documentary, and animation, as well as a destination for discovering breakthrough talent. Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) and Sarah Polley (Stories We Tell) are among notable alumni whose earliest work  — short films — first screened at Aspen Shortsfest.

As previously announced, the 2016 slate of films features 11 world premieres, 3 North American Premieres, 4 U.S. premieres and 3 international premieres from filmmakers representing 25 countries. For the complete Aspen Shortsfest program and schedule visit aspenfilm.org.

Aspen Shortsfest will commence with an Opening Reception hosted by The Aspen Times (Tuesday, April 5) and close with the Awards Dinner (Sunday, April 10) — tickets now open to the public this year — with special events and programs offered daily in between including lunch-hour Filmmaker Conversations, Breakfast at the Fest, Milk & Cookies, and Après Screenings.

Seed&Spark, the film industry’s most groundbreaking crowdfunding platform, exclusively created to support a rich community of independent filmmakers and storytellers, will present a special panel on how to develop your funding campaign to reaching an audience you will have a lasting, flourishing, and direct relationship with. “Crowdfunding to Build Independence” (Thursday, April 7) is hosted by Seed&Spark’s Erica Anderson, Head of Crowdfunding & Education.

“I’m overjoyed to bring some of the most talented, passionate, savvy voices in the independent film world to Aspen to share their inspirational stories, cautionary tales, and infectious enthusiasm for storytelling,” says Aspen Film Artistic Director Maggie Mackay. 

On Saturday, April 9 (noon-2:00pm), Aspen Film and BRIGHT IDEAS magazine will welcome celebrated director Sean Baker and producer Darren Dean for this year’s banner event at Chair 9 at The Little Nell. “Stop Asking Permission and Tell Your Story: A Conversation with Sean Baker, Darren Dean and BRIGHT IDEAS magazine,” about breaking the standard rules of filmmaking to tell one’s story, will focus on Baker and Dean’s latest short, Snowbird, commissioned by cutting edge French fashion house Kenzo, and world-premiering later in the evening as part of Program 8 (5:30pm).

“Aspen Shortsfest is one of the world's most prestigious festivals for short cinema, so we are both honored and excited to have Snowbird premiere here,” says director Sean Baker. “We are also looking forward to having a constructive and insightful discussion about the state of the industry in 2016 and how filmmakers can use different outlets to get their work seen.” 

25TH ANNUAL ASPEN SHORTSFEST SPECIAL PROGRAMS

FILMMAKER CONVERSATIONS
Wednesday, April 6 & Friday, April 8, noon-2:00pm
The Red Onion, 420 E. Cooper Ave.
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of guest filmmakers from around the world at these lunch-time panel discussions. Complimentary and open to the public with full lunch menu available for purchase.

SEED&SPARK PRESENTS: CROWDFUNDING TO BUILD INDEPENDENCE
Thursday, April 7, noon-2:00pm
Gonzo Gallery 625 E. Hyman Ave.
Join Seed&Spark, the film industry’s most groundbreaking crowdfunding platform, exclusively created to support a rich community of independent filmmakers and storytellers, for this inspirational presentation and conversation. Seed&Spark’s Erica Anderson, Head of Crowdfunding & Education, will discuss everything from how to develop your funding campaign to reaching an audience you will have a lasting, flourishing, and direct relationship with. All dreamers welcome! Complimentary and open to the public. Special Thanks to The Colorado Office of Film, Television, & Media.

STOP ASKING PERMISSION AND TELL YOUR STORY: A CONVERSATION WITH SEAN BAKER, DARREN DEAN, AND BRIGHT IDEAS MAGAZINE
Saturday, April 9, noon-2:00p
Chair 9 at The Little Nell, 675 E. Durant Ave.
Celebrated director Sean Baker and producer Darren Dean (Snowbird, Tangerine, Prince of Broadway) sit down with BRIGHT IDEAS magazine’s Editor-in-Chief James Kaelan to talk about Baker and Dean’s latest short, Snowbird, world-premiering at Aspen Shortsfest and commissioned by cutting-edge French fashion house Kenzo. Come join us for this inspirational conversation discussing everything from shooting films on an iPhone to finding financing in the least likely of places. Complimentary and open to the public.

25TH ANNUAL ASPEN SHORTSFEST SPECIAL EVENTS

OPENING RECEPTION
Tuesday, April 5, 6:30pm
Wheeler Opera House Lobby, 320 E. Hyman Ave.
Join us in kicking-off the 25th Aspen Shortsfest, before Program 1, with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer. Complimentary and open to the public. Hosted by: Aspen Film and The Aspen Times.

APRÈS SCREENINGS
Tuesday, April 5; Wednesday, April 6, Thursday, April 7 and Sunday, April 10, 10pm, J-Bar, 330 E. Main St.
Friday, April 8, 10pm, The Rec Room, 515 E. Hopkins Ave.
Saturday, April 9, 10pm, Eric’s Bar, 315 E. Hyman Ave.
Hang out with Aspen Film’s staff and with festival filmmakers from around the world, as we celebrate the day’s events and evening screenings during at these late-night get-togethers. Food and beverage discounts available with your Aspen Shortsfest pass or ticket. Complimentary and open to the public.

BREAKFAST AT THE FEST
Sunday, April 10, 11:30am
Wheeler Opera House Lobby, 320 E. Hyman Ave.
Join Aspen Film board members, staff, filmmakers, and fellow festival goers for brunch before attending our Family Fun! program. A breakfast buffet, mimosas, and Bloody Marys provided by Mawa’s Kitchen. Complimentary and open to the public.

MILK & COOKIES
Sunday, April 10, 2:00pm
Wheeler Opera House Lobby, 320 E. Hyman Ave.
Bring the whole family to enjoy milk and cookies from Paradise Bakery immediately following our Family Fun! screening. All kids welcome to the show FREE of charge with a complimentary ticket issued by the Wheeler Box Office. Complimentary and open to the public.

AWARDS DINNER
Sunday, April 10, 6:00pm
Cooking School of Aspen, 216 S. Monarch St.
Celebrate the commencement of Aspen Shortsfest as our slate of prestigious prizes is presented to filmmakers. This seated wine-dinner is open to the public. Tickets available for $75, call Aspen Film to reserve: 970.925.6882. Hosted by: Aspen Film and Cooking School of Aspen

TICKETS
Tickets for all programs are on sale now and available through Aspen Show Tickets at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office and aspenshowtix.com. General admission tickets for regular Aspen Shortsfest Programs are $15 each and Aspen Film Members receive a 20% discount on single tickets for $12 each. Tickets for Carbondale shows are also available through Bonfire Coffee (433 Main St.). 

VIP and Priority Pass options are available to new and current members. For more information on the benefits of a membership with Aspen Film visit aspenfilm.org or call 970.925.688. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Like www.faceboook.com/aspenfilm 

Follow: @AspenFilm on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag(s): #Shortsfest16 #AspenFilm #IndependentbyNature #ArtsAspen

SPONSORS
The 25th Aspen Shortsfest is generously supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, AspenOUT, City of Aspen, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media, Les Dames d'Aspen, Thrift Shop of Aspen and the Towns of Basalt and Carbondale. Aspen Shortsfest is presented by The Aspen Times and sponsored by Alpine Bank, Aspen Club & Spa, Aspen Public Radio, BRIGHT IDEAS magazine, KQED’s Film School Shorts, KSPN and Seed&Spark.

ABOUT ASPEN FILM
Established in 1979, Aspen Film is one of Colorado's most active film arts organizations, presenting dynamic programs and featured guest artists throughout the year. Internationally recognized, Aspen Film organizes a major film event in every season, along with an extensive education program: Aspen Filmfest, Academy Screenings, Aspen Shortsfest and Film Educates. With a mission to enlighten, enrich, educate and entertain through film, Aspen Film stimulates thought, encourages dialogue and broadens understanding of our world and selves through the diverse spectrum of ideas presented by filmmakers worldwide. To learn more, visit aspenfilm.org