If you have already binged The Queen’s Gambit, The Undoing and season 4 of The Crown, grab a bowl of popcorn, tasty beverage and cozy throw and prepare to camp out on the couch for a few days.
Starting Dec. 9, DC’s pop culture convention Awesome Con is taking its Short Film Festival online for the first time ever. Local and global fans can watch more than 10 hours of short films (around 50 in all) in genres including action, horror, documentary, science-fiction, comedy and drama. The lineup includes works from both independent and Hollywood pros like Rider Strong and Shiloh Strong, Ted Raimi, Larisa Olyeynik, James Van Der Beek, Diablo Cody, Hailee Steinfeld, J.K. Simmons (pictured above) and Trilina Mai.
In a normal year, DC welcomes 70,000 fans for the in-person Awesome Con, moved virtually earlier this year because of the pandemic. It’s now followed by the popular film festival, which was launched five years ago to shine a spotlight on Mid-Atlantic filmmakers.
“This year’s Awesome Con Short Film Festival saw over 3,000 submissions from around the world,” said Astray Productions founder and Awesome Con Short Film Festival organizer.
Joe Carabeo, who lives in Northern Virginia, in a statement. “It was a tremendously challenging process to draw all our submissions down into a week of events, and I know this year’s fest is our biggest and strongest yet!”
During Opening Night at 8 p.m., hosted by actress Megan Caulfield, there will be an overview of the event along with trailers and interviews. Starting at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, the focus will be on sci-fi, action and horror films and filmmaker interviews. Dec. 11 features comedy and drama films including the world premiere of DELETE, the newest film from award-winning cross-platform artist (and festival founder) Carabeo. Dec. 12 spotlights documentaries and “awesome films.”
Also on Dec. 12 starting at noon, you can enjoy all of the festival’s films presented in an all-day matinee; the festival wraps up that evening at 8 p.m. with awards presentations and winner screenings hosted by actress Megan Caulfield. In addition to juried Best Cinematography and Best in Show awards, this year the Awesome Con Short Film Festival will present its inaugural Audience Award, with fans encouraged to vote for their favorite of the festival’s entries.
All films will be available to stream through Dec. 20.
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