BEN LYONS TO HOST 5TH ANNUAL HOLLYSHORTS OPENING NIGHT

5TH ANNUAL HOLLYSHORTS
FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION AT DGA THEATRE HOSTED BY E! ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION PERSONALITY AND CO-HOST OF THE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED, “AT THE MOVIES” BEN LYONS


July 28, 2009 Hollywood, CA—Ben Lyons, E! Entertainment Television personality and co-host of the nationally syndicated, “At the Movies,” will host the 5th annual HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) opening night celebration, which takes place on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at the DGA Theatre in Hollywood. NBC’s “Open House” and “1st Look” correspondent, Viviana Vigil, will be the special guest presenter. The announcement was made today by Daniel Sol, Festival Director, HollyShorts Film Festival.

“We are delighted to have Ben Lyons, one of the sharpest correspondents in the industry today hosting the HollyShorts Opening Night Celebration and can’t wait to gather the top and fastest rising talent in Hollywood all under one roof,” said festival organizers Theo Dumont and Daniel Sol.

Ben Lyons is one of the most sought after television personalities in Hollywood. At the age of 27, Ben is the resident film critic and an entertainment correspondent on E! Entertainment Television, co-host of Nickelodeon’s “My Family’s Got Guts” and co- host of televisions most popular and respected movie program, “At the Movies.” Ben is also a regular correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America.

“It is a great honor to be involved with the HollyShorts Film Festival this summer. I have always respected and admired short films and find that they are a great way to get familiar with the next generation of talented filmmakers,” said Lyons.

“HollyShorts is a place where up and comers can rub elbows with their mentors and opening night is the big kick off to a week of screenings, panels and major parties, a can’t miss opportunity for any filmmaker,” states Theo Dumont.

Ben's movie reviews and celebrity interviews are seen on “E! News”, “The Daily 10”, and E! Online as well as in his signature segment and webpage called, “The Lyons Den”. Ben is no stranger to the red carpet. He covers film festivals, award shows, film premieres, and visits movie sets with Hollywood's biggest stars for E! Entertainment Television.


5th Annual HollyShorts Opening Night at a Glance: (Thursday, August 6- DGA)

The HollyShorts Film Festival opening night celebration will feature a number of high profile short film projects shot by critically acclaimed cinematographer Darren Lew:

“Streak,” directed by Demi Moore (starring Rumer Willis and Brittany Snow)
“Welcome,” directed by Kristen Dunst (starring Winona Ryder and John Hawkes)
“Bugcrush” directed by Carter Smith (starring Josh Caras and Donald Cumming)

The festival will honor the talented Darren Lew and will also present Eli Roth (Inglorious Basterds) with the inaugural HollyShorts Indie Film Visionary Award during the festival’s opening night celebration.

The HollyShorts Opening Night celebration also marks the Hollywood Premiere of “Kidnapping Caitlynn,” a short film directed by Katherine Cunningham-Eves, starring Jason Biggs (American Pie), Julie Benz (Dexter), Rhys Coiro (Entourage) and Jenny Mollen (My Best Friend’s Girl).

The evening will also feature a special screening of the award winning DVD producer David Prior’s (Zodiac, Fight Club) horror thriller “AM 1200.”

Tickets for the HollyShorts opening night celebration are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.hollyshorts.com or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Tickets for the August 7-13 HollyShorts programs at Laemmle Sunset 5 are now available and can be purchased by visiting www.hollyshorts.com or www.laemmle.com

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 in 30- minutes or less. For more information, please visit www.hollyshorts.com.


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