The Festival Runs Feb. 11 through 15
Lawn Dogs, an 8-minute student film by Leonardo Martinez, is one of hundreds of selections competing at the annual Dam Short Film Festival that runs Feb 11 through the 15.
Usually an in-person film festival in Boulder, Nevada, this year’s 17th edition has gone virtual because of the pandemic.
Martinez’s short is about two brothers who have to learn to adapt to their new lives together in the wake of their parent’s absence. The young men make a living as gardeners. The film stars Alejandro De Anda and Cesar Coto from a screenplay by Giovanna Zavala. Producing is Neha Nagavalli.
“There is suspense in the average and unrefined – with a sensitive touch to style, I often seek out the passion, empathy, and vulnerability in the seemingly mundane,” says Martinez about his craft. Adds the young director “As a filmmaker, I intend to discover more by seeing less.” He is a student at Chapman University’s College of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in the City of Orange, California.
The fest’s number of film entries grew this year despite the pandemic, according to organizers. Categories include animation, comedy, documentary, drama, music videos, Nevada films, sci-fi, and student.
“Though we will not be physically together for our 17th annual festival, we are excited to be able to stay true to our mission of making original, unusual, and entertaining short films available to the general public,” says fest founder Lee Lanier. “What’s even more exciting is that by going virtual, we can make these films accessible to even greater audiences.”
All-access household passes to the whole festival are $100. Tickets to individual program blocks are $12 each.
The Dam Short Film Festival is supported by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency that receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and Nevada. Funding also comes from Nevada Humanities as part of the CARES Act for economic stabilization during the coronavirus pandemic.
For tickets and more information, visit the festival’s website.
Featured Top Photo: Lawn Dogs screens at Dam Short Film Festival. (Photo: Leonardo Martinez)