Arts & Entertainment
Local Filmmakers Shine in Short Film Festival
The Palm Springs International ShortFest features a roster of local films to screen on Wednesday.
The Coachella Valley will be represented by several local filmmakers at this year's Palm Springs International ShortFest.
A special program on Wednesday, "Local Sightings," highlights the work of local filmmakers, including Gary Wexler and Ethan Kaminsky, whose exhilarating documentary, "Sing, Sing, Sing!" features the talented members of the Palm Springs High School Jazz Band. The film focuses on the transformative effect that music can have as a means of self-expression.
Also screening in the program is "Minimize Me," a satirical look at one woman's obsessive goals to lose weight and the temptations of a magic pill. Directed by Rancho Mirage resident Stacy Jacob, the film is her first foray into the festival world.
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"This is actually my first film working with a cast and crew," Jacob said.
Her delight at being accepted into the prestigious Palm Springs festival is hard to miss. Jacob quit a career in sales and moved to the Coachella Valley to reinvent herself. She discovered what she really wanted to do was tell stories.
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After an eight-week intensive film course in Los Angeles, Jacob learned the craft of filmmaking and completed her thesis film, "Minimize Me."
And award-winning local teen-aged director Michael Kontaxis brings his comic tale "Smartie Pants" to Shortfest. Kontaxis is a back-to-back winner of the Palm Springs Student Film Festival.
Also screening on Wednesday's program will be "My Dear," by director Mark Kellems and "Shortcomings," directed by Andrew Reisfeld.
Closing the program is "Spiritus," director Brian Herman's four-minute glimpse at one magical New York night.
"Local Sightings" screens at 11:30am, followed by a Q&A session with the six filmmakers after the screenings.
The festival and film market runs from June 21-27. Over 300 films from 30 countries will be screened throughout the week at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. A VIP Hospitality suite for filmmakers and guests is sponsored by the Renaissance Hotel.
For festival tickets and passes, go to: www.psfilmfest.org
