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Aspen Film proudly presented the 34th edition of Shortsfest this week at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre and Wheeler Opera House. Following the opening night reception at Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge on Monday, March 31, Shortsfest Director of Programming Jason Anderson and Susan Wrubel, executive and artistic director of Aspen Film, welcomed all to the Wheeler Opera House, unleashing the first of 10 programs.

Recognized as one of the premier short film festivals in North America, Shortsfest showcases emerging filmmakers from all over the world. This year’s lineup numbered 68 short films from over 29 countries with 11 world premieres. Shown over 10 programs, the roster contained a variety of shorts from comedies to dramas and documentaries to animation — all part of an Oscar-qualifying competition with fast-rising filmmakers and established talents.

Known for its importance as a networking event, Shortsfest also offers eight cash prizes of $1,250 or $2,500 awarded by three juries — The Aspen Shortsfest Competition Jury, The Ellen Jury, and The Youth Jury, plus an Audience Award selected by viewers.

Aspen Film’s FilmEducates program during Shortsfest also provides educational opportunities to schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Programs are offered at no charge and aim to engage students and educators in conversations around a selection of age-appropriate films.

Gaby DuBrul (great granddaughter to Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke) and filmmaker Anna Cappello, whose short film ROPE SWING screened in program 4.May Selby/Courtesy photo

Shortsfest Programmer Liane Cunje, Aspen Film Operations and Production Director Erin McVoy, and Shortsfest jury member Chase Carter.May Selby/Courtesy photo

ZARI Producer Kajri Akhtar and Director Shruti Parekh with Brittani Ward, producer of DEBATERS, and Malin Ingrid Johansson, director of DECK 5B.”Dan Bayer/Courtesy photo

Aspen Film presented screenings for the schools, such as this one at Aspen Elementary School.Nik House Media/Courtesy photo

Nick Fiveoaks and Reiko Hillyer from the film CLASSROOM 4, which follows a course taught inside a prison with students from a nearby college and incarcerated students and focuses on the United States’ history of crime and punishment.May Selby/Courtesy photo

Maja DuBrul and Susan Wrubel at Shortsfest’s opening night reception at Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge. May Selby photo.May Selby/Courtesy photo

My favorite aspect of Shortsfest is the strong turnout of cast and crew behind the productions, some of whom are featured here at an after-screening Q+A 08.

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