Arkansas Shorts

Filmmaking event highlights talent

Filmmakers are preparing for the ninth annual Arkansas Shorts — a night of short films reserved for natives and current residents of Arkansas to be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, 239 Central Ave.

Originally held at the historic Malco Theatre, this program of Low Key Arts began as a fundraiser for the Valley of the Vapors music festival, also a product of Low Key Arts.

“That first year, maybe 100 people came and we were pretty happy with that, so we decided to keep it as a fundraiser. The second year we did it we got more attention and sold out the Malco — standing-room only,” said Bill Solleder, Low Key Arts executive director. “I remember that first night; the temperature outside was probably in the `teens and there was a line down the street because we hadn't opened the theatre yet. Since that second year, every screening at Arkansas Shorts has sold out and has been standing-room only. We're talking 300 people; last year we went up to 400 people plus.”

Film lovers can expect to see short films ranging from 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, created using everything from an iPhone to DSLR cameras. Genres will include narrative, documentary, music video and experimental shorts.

“For any filmmaker, no matter if you're a professional or a beginner or a hobbyist, young or old, it's a thrill to see your film on a huge screen, especially when the houses are standing-room-only full,” Solleder said. “But for a student to write their own film, shoot it, edit it and then screen it to a full house, the look on those kids' faces is great. And, it's not even just kids; now we've opened up the program to any age. We have high school students and we also have adults that are making films.”

The night will also include eight world premieres of films created by high school students and adults who are enrolled in the Low Key Arts Inception to Projection Filmmaking program.

Solleder said part of the Inception to Projection program is that every student that creates a film — writes, directs, edits and screens the film, is automatically entered into Arkansas Shorts and that it's become an educational component.

“We've had films screened from people as young as five years old, which was made on a phone, which was really great, and we've had films from people in their upper sixties,” he added. “Most films are from college-age people.”

Arkansas Shorts received over 300 submissions this year, compared to last year's 80.

“It's usually really fun; last year we had a dance break in the middle of a screening because the screening was really long. We had an unannounced dance break where we turned out all the lights and played music,” Solleder said.

Arkansas Shorts is open to film lovers of all ages, but a special screening for a mature audience will be held later in the evening.

“Since the beginning, we've always had a sign that says `Some of the content of this film may not be suitable for everyone' and we've left it open,” Solleder noted. “Who knows what we'll get this year.”

The thing that sets Arkansas Shorts apart from other film festivals, Solleder said, is that it's strictly for short films and only open to Arkansas.

“Ours is very home-grown,” he said. “It just keeps growing.”

Among the evening's guests will be photographer Thomas Petillo, who will be back to take portraits at the event.

“Thomas Petillo is sort of a well-known photographer and he's been coming to Hot Springs for a long time,” Solleder said. “He's been doing this for Arkansas Shorts for many years.”

Tickets are $10 and an after party will follow the screening around 11 p.m.

From top, “Nape of My Neck,” a music video by Ghost Bones, directed by Matt McCormack & Casey Canterbury; “Missed Connections,” directed by Jennifer Gerber; and “Devin,” directed by Jesus Martinez