5TH ANNUAL HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH SPOTLIGHT ON CINEMATOGRAPHER DARREN LEW

5TH ANNUAL HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY ROYALTY ROPE EVENTS, TO OPEN WITH SPOTLIGHT ON CINEMATOGRAPHER DARREN LEW

Event to Showcase Three Award-Winning Short Films Shot by Lew:
"Bugcrush" Directed by Carter Smith
"Streak" Directed by Demi Moore
"Welcome" Directed by Kirsten Dunst

Festival Takes Place August 6-9, 2009
Royalty Rope Events To Also Host HollyShorts and Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis's ("Heroes") non profit organization Hollywood Unites for Haiti's (HUFH) special VIP celebration at The Kress

HOLLYWOOD, CA March 17, 2009---The 5th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival (August 6-9), presented by Royalty Rope Events, will open in Hollywood on Thursday, August 6, with a special spotlight on award-winning cinematographer Darren Lew (www.darrenlew.com). The event will showcase three of Lew's most celebrated short films: "Bugcrush," directed by Carter Smith (The Ruins), "Streak," directed by Demi Moore, and "Welcome," directed by Kirsten Dunst. The announcement was made today by Festival Director Daniel Sol.

With a resume consisting of over 11 notable short films, as well as a reel of commercials for Madison Avenue's biggest brands, Darren Lew is one of Hollywood's fastest-rising cinematographers. Most recently Lew teamed with Ashton Kutcher's Katalyst Media and Myspace Celebrity to shoot a slew of famous personalities making pledges of service to President Barack Obama. Directed and produced by Demi Moore, the video featured Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria Parker, Sean "Diddy" Combs, George Lopez, Ashlee Simpson, Courteney Cox, and Dakota Fanning, among many others, and was broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey show.

"On the heels of last year's festival, which featured the likes of David Lynch, Paul Haggis, Josh Brolin, Jessica Biel, and David Arquette, we are honored to spotlight one of Hollywood's fastest-rising cinematographers," said Sol. "Darren signifies what HollyShorts is all about.
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He goes out of his way to give first-time filmmakers access to his services, and it's definitely time he gets recognized for his excellent work and efforts in this business."

The Darren Lew HollyShorts Opening Night Spotlight will include the following short films, photographed by Lew:

"Bugcrush," directed by Carter Smith (The Ruins) was the Sundance '06 Grand Jury Prize winner for Short Filmmaking and official selection Cannes Film Festival '06. "Bugcrush" stars Josh Caras (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2), Donald Cumming (The Favor), Eleonore Hendricks (Creative Nonfiction) and David Tennent (The House is Burning). "Bugcrush" is the story of Ben (Caras), a small-town high school loner, whose fascination with Grant (Cumming), a dangerously seductive new kid, leads him into something much more sinister than he could have ever imagined.

"Streak," directed by Demi Moore (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Ghost, A Few Good Men). Part of Glamour Magazine's Reel Moments project, "Streak"stars Brittany Snow (Hairspray), Rumer Willis (The House Bunny), Sarah Wright (The House Bunny) and Madeline Zima (A Cinderella Story) and tells the story of a high school senior, Baylin (Snow), who's been feeling a little claustrophobic. With graduation just around the corner, she realizes she has very little in common with her so-called best friends. One day at the gym she hits it off with free-spirited Drea (Willis). Soon Baylin's new friendship takes her on a lucky streak she won't soon forget.

"Welcome," directed by Kirsten Dunst (Spiderman, Marie Antoinette, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People), also part of Glamour's Reel Moments, stars Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands), John Hawkes (American Gangster) and Lexi Jourden (Two and a Half Men). The short tells how Bill (Hawkes), Cynthia (Ryder) and their daughter Alice (Jourden) move into a new house and find themselves confronted by an unexpected occupant. However, as they decide what to do, the young family learns that sometimes, living peacefully means learning how to get along with anyone-or anything....

Darren Lew is one of Hollywood's fastest-rising cinematographers. He has worked on projects with such recognizable creative artists as photographer Annie Leibovitz, director/DP Lance Acord (Marie Antoinette), art director Fabien Baron, feature director Ben Younger (Boiler Room), documentarian Albert Maysles, and Vogue photographer Steven Meisel.

His commercial work includes clients such as Nike, Lacoste, Versace, Stella McCartney, Estee Lauder, Volkswagen, Rolex, Canon, Dr. Pepper and GMC. He served as the Director of Photography on Glen Luchford's "Dark Yellow," which took home the top prize for short films at the 2008 Jackson Hole Film Festival, Jennie Livingston's short "Who's The Top," and doc "Through The Ice," Ranier Judd's short film "Remember Back, Remember When." Lew is also in production on Kirsten Dunst's and Jacob Soboroff's new documentary, "Why Vote," which is being produced by Participant Media.
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Lew is represented by the Endeavor Agency.

The HollyShorts opening night event will also feature several additional acclaimed short film projects and awards.
On Saturday, August 8, Royalty Rope Events will host the HollyShorts and actor Jimmy Jean-Louis's ("Heroes") non profit organization Hollywood Unites for Haiti's (HUFH) special VIP celebration at The Kress, a premiere dining and entertainment venue in Hollywood.
HollyShorts is currently accepting submissions for the 5th Annual Festival.

Filmmakers can submit now by visiting www.hollyshorts.com or by submitting on Withoutabox directly at www.withoutabox.com/login/4655. All submissions must be 30 minutes or less. Categories include Live Action, Animation, Documentary and Music Video. HollyShorts also has a discounted category for student projects. Deadlines to submit U.S. and International short films for the 2009 HollyShorts Film Festival are:

April 17, 2009 - Official deadline
May 15, 2009 - Late deadline
June 5, 2009- Withoutabox.com extended late deadline

The 4th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival took place August 7-10, 2008 in Hollywood with top honors of Best Short Film going to "Bloom" directed Lance Larson. Larson was awarded $2000 VFX package courtesy of Clifton Post for his next project. The Best Student Short honors went to David Jibladze, for his short film "Beholden." Jibladze took home a 5-day HVX-200, HD Camera rental package courtesy of Martini Crew Booking. Over $25,000 in prizes were awarded. The submission link and complete information regarding eligibility and entry rules for the 2009 HollyShorts Film Festival are available on the HollyShorts Film Festival website at www.hollyshorts.com. Information is also available through the HollyShorts hotline at 818-760-9897, by email to staff@hollyshorts.com .

For sponsorship information, please email admin@hollyshorts.com with your query.

About HollyShorts
HollyShorts is an organization devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panel and forums. The HollyShorts Film festival showcases the top short films produced 30- minutes or less. For more information, please visit www.hollyshorts.com. Filmmaker news available at www.hollyshortsfilmfestival.blogspot.com.

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Contacts:
HollyShorts
Erica Sardarian (erica@hollyshorts.com) 818-760-9897
Isandra Gonzalez (Isag22@gmail.com) 22 Entertainment (Talent)

Royalty Rope Events
Sean Dubravac (Sean@RoyaltyRope.com ) 310-488-0056

The Kress
Andrea Oreckinto Feuerstein (andrea@kravetzpr.com)

INCONVENIENCE AND JAY VS. LIFE ARE VOTED IN AT HOLLYSHORTS MONTHLY SCREENINGS

Christopher De Maria's short film Inconvenience received the most votes at the March HollyShorts Monthly Screening Event at the Echo Park Film Center. With the win, Inconvenience and receives an automatic bid as an official selection into the 5th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival (August 6-9, 2009). At the February Monthly Screening Event, Greg Munion's JAY VS. LIFE received the most votes for an automatic bid.

InCONVENIENCE
Directed by Christopher De Maria (cdemaria@msn.com)
When brothers Brad and Victor, short on money and not exactly long in street smarts, decided to rob a convenience store, they didn’t count on the cash register holding only 35 bucks. But they’ve come too far to turn back. “InConvenience” is the story of why they should have!

ZOE MCLELLAN CAST AS LEAD IN CBS PILOT

Congrats to HollyShorts Alumna and last year's HollyShorts Best Actress winner Zoe McLellan (Dirty Sexy Money). According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zoe has been cast and will play the lead in a CBS pilot called "A Marriage." Zoe picked up the Best Actress at last Year's HollyShorts for her role in "Person Place or Thing."

HollyShorts Monthly Screening, March 7th

Our next monthly screening is March 7th @ The Echo Park Film Center, 8pm.

Hope to see you there!

Daniel
www.hollyshorts.com