Posted by Larry Gleeson
SHORTSTV PARTNERS WITH THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE (AFI) TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF THE DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN (DWW)
The AFI short film showcase will be available to watch weekly on the ShortsTV channel and to stream via the ShortsTV channel on Amazon Prime Video US and UK and on ShortsTV+ from November 10th.
LONDON (November 7, 2024) – ShortsTV, the world’s leading network dedicated to short films, has announced an exciting partnership with the American Film Institute (AFI) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women (AFI DWW) initiative. This groundbreaking, tuition-free program has paved the way for traditionally underrepresented filmmakers, championing their voices in the industry since its inception. Among its esteemed alumni are Emmy Award-nominated director Dime Davis and DGA President and Emmy Award-nominated director Lesli Linka Glatter.
Beginning Sunday, November 10th, ShortsTV viewers can tune in every Sunday night at 9pm ET/6pm PT to watch a selection of short films created by talented DWW+ alumni as part of the initiative, including:
– Picture Day directed by Kelly Pike
– Some Boys Don’t Leave directed by Maggie Kiley
– Wild Horses directed by Stephanie Martin
– Zelos directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir
This celebration will go on to feature a wider AFI showcase to close out the year, spotlighting the remarkable contributions of other talented AFI filmmakers. ShortsTV subscribers via Amazon Prime Video in the UK and the US will be able to enjoy a hand-picked selection of DWW films compiled in two exclusive film collections from November 1st. Additionally, ShortsTV+ subscribers will have full access to all available DWW+ and AFI films via the app.
As part of this collaboration, audiences will also have the opportunity to engage with exclusive interviews featuring prominent AFI DWW+ alumni, including Kelly Pike, director of the award-winning short Picture Day which premieres on Sunday November 17th. The film is about an Asian American tomboy growing up on military bases struggling to fit in at a new school. When she decides to assert control over her life, one small act of rebellion sparks trouble at home, forcing her to face harsh realities about gender, power, and finding one’s place in the world. The film won Best Live Action Short at the Warsaw Film Festival, the Young Cineaste Award at Palm Springs International ShortFest and is Oscar qualified. These insightful conversations will provide a deeper understanding of the journeys and experiences of these talented directors.
Join us in celebrating diversity, creativity, and empowerment in filmmaking as we honor the legacy of the AFI DWW+ initiative.
ShortsTV CEO and Founder Carter Pilcher says “We are thrilled to partner with the American Film Institute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Directing Workshop for Women. This collaboration not only honors the pioneering women who have shaped the industry but also empowers a new generation of filmmakers. At ShortsTV, we believe in the power of diverse voices and storytelling, and we are excited to highlight these incredible short films that inspire and elevate underrepresented talent in cinema.”
Director of Programming Jade Tan says, “At ShortsTV, we are dedicated to highlighting the amazing and trailblazing work of the American Film Institute and their Directing Workshop for Women initiative. This program has been instrumental in nurturing the talent of underrepresented filmmakers, and we are proud to give a platform to their compelling stories. Supporting underrepresented groups lies at the heart of our mission, and we believe that by amplifying these voices, we can enrich the cinematic landscape for all audiences.”
For more information, please contact:
Jade Tan ,Director of Programming
ShortsTV , j.tan@shorts.tv
About AFI DWW+
The AFI DWW+ is a tuition-free program at the AFI Conservatory that educates traditionally underrepresented filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. Participants leave the program with the knowledge and tools necessary to best leverage their creative talents and achieve their career goals. Participants receive full AFI Alumni benefits, and their completed projects are screened at the DWW+ Showcase in front of a wide network of industry professionals to celebrate their progress as artists and continue the longstanding tradition of DWW+ supporting inclusive and transformative storytelling.
The AFI DWW+ was launched in 1974 as the Directing Workshop for Women (DWW), one of the first gender impact programs of its kind in the cinematic arts, as well as one of the longest-running and preeminent film and television workshops nationwide. Among its earliest participants were such imperative creative voices as Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Lee Grant, Jessie Maple, Cicely Tyson and many more. Since the program’s inception, DWW+ has trained over 350 filmmakers who give voice to historically underrepresented perspectives.
About the AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory opened its doors in 1969 to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. In a collaborative production environment, AFI Fellows learn to master the art of storytelling, collectively creating up to 175 films a year. Fellows actively participate in the entire life cycle of a film, from development through production and exhibition.
Alumni of this elite program, ranging from modern masters to bold new voices defining the state of the art form, include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster, Deniese Davis, Sam Esmail, Brad Falchuk, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Liz Hannah, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison and Wally Pfister, among others.
About ShortsTV
ShortsTV is the first and leading 24/7, linear and OTT HD TV channel dedicated to short form video entertainment, including movies and series. ShortsTV has the largest catalog of quality short form video entertainment, including award-winning and star-studded live action, animated and documentary shorts from filmmakers around the globe. Distributed globally, the channel is available in over 100 million homes across the US, India, Europe, and Latin America (where it’s known as TVCortos). It is available across the US on DirecTV (channel 573), AT&T U-Verse (channel 1789), AT&T TV NOW, Google Fiber (channel 603) and Hotwire (channel 560). ShortsTV also operates an advertising-supported connected TV channel called ‘Shorts’, which acts as a gateway to the exciting world of short films and an introduction to the premium ShortsTV service. It is available in the UK on Rakuten TV.
Online, ShortsTV offers hundreds of the world’s best independent shorts for download from stores in over 90 countries, including iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon, as well as a subscription on-demand service on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the US, UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, India and Spain (where it’s known as TVCortos). Since 2006, ShortsTV has been the only presenter of the ‘Oscar Nominated Short Films’ theatrical release in cinemas across the US and Canada, South America, Europe, India, Australia and South Africa.
ShortsTV is owned by Shorts International Ltd, is headquartered in London, England and is represented in the United States by Shorts Entertainment Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Los Angeles. The company is led by Chief Executive Carter Pilcher and is majority owned by Shorts Entertainment Holdings with AMC Networks a significant minority shareholder.
