This year, from September 19th to 29th, the DC Shorts Film Festival will screen over 150 international films in 6 theaters in and around Washington DC. This year’s 11 day event has a special focus on Russian filmmakers and has the largest collection of Russian shorts in the country. The festival will show shorts from 23 nations with genres including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, and more.
In the Comedy category, the number one must see is Man of Letters.
This six minute feature follows a know-it-all competitor in a local Scrabble tournament. He is paired with a teenage girl and the competition begins! There is close to no talking during the length of the film and much of the story is told in the words that the two lay down. He spells out long and complex words that further show his supposed dominance of the game, while she spells out simple, heartwarming words. He spells esquire, she spells kind. He spells foregone, she spells friend, which in turn is changed to unfriendly.
When he starts to cheat and make up his own words she refuses to challenge him saying that she trusts his knowledge. As he furthers his lead, guilt enters his eyes and she spells out ‘sad’ to show how she feels. He the purposely misspells a word and asks her to challenge it to let her know he is sorry. Hilarity soon unfolds.
This is a fantastic film that makes you laugh, warms your heart, and teaches you a life lesson. This is my favorite film.
Must-Sees:
T'ai Chi Man!
2 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
A common street mugging is thwarted by a uniquely incompetent superhero.
Schnipples
13 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
A widowed man makes the final journey back to his hometown with a stuffed cat in tow.
Social Media Anonymous
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
There is a support group for everything--even social media addicts.
Cats in Space
2 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
The future of the universe lies in the paws of a brave cat crew.
Eighty-Sixed
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Bragging to your one-night stand that your uncle is an astronaut is not always a good idea.
Other Films in Comedy:
Man of Letters
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
Venturing into the world of competitive Scrabble, a man's good nature quickly turns flagitious, maleficent, repugnant.
Grandma's Not A Toaster
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
When grandma's fortune is at stake, everyone's point of view should be carefully considered.
The Summons
8 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Within the judgmental walls of a confessional, Sister Kathy relives her unanticipated day of sin.
Practice Makes Perfect
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | U.S. Premiere
On date night, a twelve-year-old boy anxiously considers how to deliver the perfect first kiss.
Чиппендейл ("Chippendale")
16 Minutes | Comedy | Russian Federation | U.S. Premiere
A greedy antiques dealer gets more than he bargained for when he discovers a rare Chippendale dresser.
Moving Day
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Davis and Violet move in together after only dating for two weeks. He has a nice house; she... does not.
The Morning After
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A woman wakes up naked beside a sexy stranger--with no recollection of the previous night's events.
Girl Clown
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A mousy secretary attempts to overcome her shyness and find true love by becoming a professional clown.
Old Lady Luck
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | U.S. Premiere
To raise money for her family's birthday cards, a grandmother puts her faith in old Lady Luck.
Couch
8 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Growing up is hard to do. That's why Casey McElveen never even tried.
Love Me Anyway
4 Minutes | Animation/Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A coming-of-age story about love, family, and life at 35,000 feet.
Ol' Bay
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA
What does a crabber do when all the crabs are crabbed? Teach yoga, of course.
Today I Will Tell Her
7 Minutes | Comedy | Canada | DC Premiere
Confessing your love for a platonic girlfriend may end with wrenching consequences.
Karen Returns Something to Scott
5 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A perfect wedding is only missing one thing...
To Cut a Long Story Short
3 Minutes | Comedy/Experimental | Portugal | World Premiere
Jack was a rocker. A roller. No stopping him. Until he met the Leone twins.
Codger
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA
Just when the world looks like it is going to roll you, there is always one more angle to play.
Dos Mimos ("Two Mimes")
9 Minutes | Comedy | Argentina | U.S. Premiere
Two mimes compete for a street corner, loose change, and the heart of a woman.
A True Friend
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Sometimes, your best friend asks you to help with the worst ideas.
Wishful Thinking
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
What would you wish for if you found a magic lantern?
Voice Over
10 Minutes | Comedy | Spain | DC Premiere
A series of life-threatening experiences pale in comparison to a situation that requires real courage.
The Op Shop
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
A mysterious donation sends the sales clerks of a suburban thrift shop on a journey of self-discovery.
Le Chevreuil ("The Deer")
14 Minutes | Comedy | Canada | DC Premiere
When a hearse is involved in an accident, “dearly departed” takes on a new meaning.
Ringwood
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | World Premiere
Waiting for a train, Chris is about to make some new friends--whether he wants to or not.
Loot
11 Minutes | Comedy | South Africa | DC Premiere
The story of a robbery where reality and fantasy merge.
A Little Something on the Side
11 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Larry breaks out from under his wife's watchful eye with a woman who understands the way to a man's heart.
Loveseat
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Afraid to move in with his girlfriend, Joe is reminded by his couch of what is the real “cushion” in his life.
F**k the Parents
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
After a break-up, sometimes the best consolers are your ex's parents.
Ending Up
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
A divorce celebration opens the door to new possibilities.
Shenanigans
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Opening your son's bedroom door is always a surprise...
Il Neige Sur Acapulco ("Snow Over Acapulco")
8 Minutes | Comedy | France | DC Premiere
On their last night in Mexico, a group of friends scheme to smuggle cocaine back into France.
By the Fireside with Larry: The Zimlet
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Parts Ron Burgundy and Martha Stewart, Larry mixes an unusual cocktail.
Food Porn
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Larry is back, professing his love with produce.
Scent of a Woman
11 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
When her boyfriend serves alfredo, lactose-intolerant Chloe's declaration of love is a race against time and humiliation.
Jacob Fights Giants
15 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
Stephanie reluctantly joins her new neighbor in his never-ending battle against giants that live in the forest.
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DC Shorts Film Festival: Comedy
September 5, 2013
This year, from September 19th to 29th, the DC Shorts Film Festival will screen over 150 international films in 6 theaters in and around Washington DC. This year’s 11 day event has a special focus on Russian filmmakers and has the largest collection of Russian shorts in the country. The festival will show shorts from 23 nations with genres including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, and more.
In the Comedy category, the number one must see is Man of Letters.
This six minute feature follows a know-it-all competitor in a local Scrabble tournament. He is paired with a teenage girl and the competition begins! There is close to no talking during the length of the film and much of the story is told in the words that the two lay down. He spells out long and complex words that further show his supposed dominance of the game, while she spells out simple, heartwarming words. He spells esquire, she spells kind. He spells foregone, she spells friend, which in turn is changed to unfriendly.
When he starts to cheat and make up his own words she refuses to challenge him saying that she trusts his knowledge. As he furthers his lead, guilt enters his eyes and she spells out ‘sad’ to show how she feels. He the purposely misspells a word and asks her to challenge it to let her know he is sorry. Hilarity soon unfolds.
This is a fantastic film that makes you laugh, warms your heart, and teaches you a life lesson. This is my favorite film.
Must-Sees:
T'ai Chi Man!
2 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
A common street mugging is thwarted by a uniquely incompetent superhero.
Schnipples
13 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
A widowed man makes the final journey back to his hometown with a stuffed cat in tow.
Social Media Anonymous
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
There is a support group for everything--even social media addicts.
Cats in Space
2 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
The future of the universe lies in the paws of a brave cat crew.
Eighty-Sixed
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Bragging to your one-night stand that your uncle is an astronaut is not always a good idea.
Other Films in Comedy:
Man of Letters
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
Venturing into the world of competitive Scrabble, a man's good nature quickly turns flagitious, maleficent, repugnant.
Grandma's Not A Toaster
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
When grandma's fortune is at stake, everyone's point of view should be carefully considered.
The Summons
8 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Within the judgmental walls of a confessional, Sister Kathy relives her unanticipated day of sin.
Practice Makes Perfect
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | U.S. Premiere
On date night, a twelve-year-old boy anxiously considers how to deliver the perfect first kiss.
Чиппендейл ("Chippendale")
16 Minutes | Comedy | Russian Federation | U.S. Premiere
A greedy antiques dealer gets more than he bargained for when he discovers a rare Chippendale dresser.
Moving Day
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Davis and Violet move in together after only dating for two weeks. He has a nice house; she... does not.
The Morning After
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A woman wakes up naked beside a sexy stranger--with no recollection of the previous night's events.
Girl Clown
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A mousy secretary attempts to overcome her shyness and find true love by becoming a professional clown.
Old Lady Luck
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | U.S. Premiere
To raise money for her family's birthday cards, a grandmother puts her faith in old Lady Luck.
Couch
8 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Growing up is hard to do. That's why Casey McElveen never even tried.
Love Me Anyway
4 Minutes | Animation/Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A coming-of-age story about love, family, and life at 35,000 feet.
Ol' Bay
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA
What does a crabber do when all the crabs are crabbed? Teach yoga, of course.
Today I Will Tell Her
7 Minutes | Comedy | Canada | DC Premiere
Confessing your love for a platonic girlfriend may end with wrenching consequences.
Karen Returns Something to Scott
5 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
A perfect wedding is only missing one thing...
To Cut a Long Story Short
3 Minutes | Comedy/Experimental | Portugal | World Premiere
Jack was a rocker. A roller. No stopping him. Until he met the Leone twins.
Codger
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA
Just when the world looks like it is going to roll you, there is always one more angle to play.
Dos Mimos ("Two Mimes")
9 Minutes | Comedy | Argentina | U.S. Premiere
Two mimes compete for a street corner, loose change, and the heart of a woman.
A True Friend
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Sometimes, your best friend asks you to help with the worst ideas.
Wishful Thinking
6 Minutes | Comedy | USA
What would you wish for if you found a magic lantern?
Voice Over
10 Minutes | Comedy | Spain | DC Premiere
A series of life-threatening experiences pale in comparison to a situation that requires real courage.
The Op Shop
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
A mysterious donation sends the sales clerks of a suburban thrift shop on a journey of self-discovery.
Le Chevreuil ("The Deer")
14 Minutes | Comedy | Canada | DC Premiere
When a hearse is involved in an accident, “dearly departed” takes on a new meaning.
Ringwood
7 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | World Premiere
Waiting for a train, Chris is about to make some new friends--whether he wants to or not.
Loot
11 Minutes | Comedy | South Africa | DC Premiere
The story of a robbery where reality and fantasy merge.
A Little Something on the Side
11 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Larry breaks out from under his wife's watchful eye with a woman who understands the way to a man's heart.
Loveseat
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Afraid to move in with his girlfriend, Joe is reminded by his couch of what is the real “cushion” in his life.
F**k the Parents
10 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
After a break-up, sometimes the best consolers are your ex's parents.
Ending Up
15 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
A divorce celebration opens the door to new possibilities.
Shenanigans
7 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
Opening your son's bedroom door is always a surprise...
Il Neige Sur Acapulco ("Snow Over Acapulco")
8 Minutes | Comedy | France | DC Premiere
On their last night in Mexico, a group of friends scheme to smuggle cocaine back into France.
By the Fireside with Larry: The Zimlet
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Parts Ron Burgundy and Martha Stewart, Larry mixes an unusual cocktail.
Food Porn
3 Minutes | Comedy | USA | DC Premiere
Larry is back, professing his love with produce.
Scent of a Woman
11 Minutes | Comedy | USA | World Premiere
When her boyfriend serves alfredo, lactose-intolerant Chloe's declaration of love is a race against time and humiliation.
Jacob Fights Giants
15 Minutes | Comedy | Australia | DC Premiere
Stephanie reluctantly joins her new neighbor in his never-ending battle against giants that live in the forest.
