What’s up good people?! Welcome to your weekly ITSASHORT.COM movie and short film roundup.
A 19-year-old Syrian refugee is getting worldwide attention for her short film which was made on a handheld camera.
Khaldiya Jibawi’s “Another Kind of Girl” chronicles her family’s life at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, which is home to about 80,000 refugees. With her nine-minute short film, she depicts many aspects of camp life, from the sobering to the mundane.
She helps her siblings with homework, listens to music on her bed and walks around the camp with her friends. But there are also moments of frustration and melancholy: A shot of her hand tracing dirt on a window pane, a dusty tarp flapping in the wind, a door slamming.
Jibawi’s short film was created with the help of a media workshop funded by the nonprofit WomenOne, in collaboration with Save the Children International. The workshop encourages young women to tell their stories.
Viewers and critics alike have welcomed Jibawi’s story. Her short film has appeared at Sundance, SXSW, Cannes and the recently concluded LA Film Festival. Is Oscar consideration next? We’ll see.
Said Jibawi in a recent interview with NPR,
This small camera can make so many beautiful moments. I get surprised by what I can capture. After I would film, I would sit down and look at the shots. I couldn’t believe these would be the shots I took, and this little camera made it happen.
That may be true, Ms. Jibawi. However, you and your short film are making it happen as well.
Bill Murray Gets Prestigious Honor
Beloved actor Bill Murray will be the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize, which is given to individuals who have made a great contribution to American humor. Murray will be the 19th recipient of the prestigious honor, joining the likes of Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Carol Burnett and Eddie Murphy, to name a few.
We couldn’t think of a better candidate. Murray’s career spans 40 years. The “Saturday Night Live” alum has starred in a litany of critically-acclaimed films such as Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Rushmore and Lost in Translation. He has even appeared in a short film or three (“Scout’s Honor,” “FCU: Fact Checkers Unit,” “Pass the Buck: Expo ’74”)
When the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced that it would honor Mr. Murray, the comedian quipped:
“I’m honored by this award and by its timing. I believe Mark Twain has rolled over in his grave so much for so long, that this news won’t disturb his peace.”
Don’t ever change, Bill. Don’t ever change.
Itsashort.com’s “Short of the Week”
Our “Short Film of the Week” is a unique kind of experience that parodies two popular shows.
You’ve heard of “Orange is the New Black” and BBC America’s “Orphan Black.”
Well, “Orphan is the New Orange” riffs on both shows and depicts a young woman who runs afoul of the law and winds up in prison. That’s when the hijinks ensue.
Orphan is the New Orange is a mind-bending trip that will undoubtedly leave you chuckling. Grab some popcorn and hit this link to watch the full film.
You’ll thank us later.
Nothing Small About This ShortFest
In one week, the Palm Springs International ShortFest commences as one of the only film festivals of its kind. What’s so special about this extravaganza?
The shorts: over 300 short films from 50 countries will be screened at the fest, which runs June 21-27.
And these are not your run-of-the-mill, made with daddy’s ‘handcam’ kind of shorts. Some big names are appearing in some of these works.
James Franco, Guy Pearce, Kristen Wiig, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson, Steve Buscemi and Oscar Isaac will appear in some of the featured shorts.
Are you impressed yet?
For more information about the fabulous Palm Springs Shortfest, visit this link.
And if you go, drink lots of water. It’s blazing in Palm Springs this time of year. Make sure you take pics, too.
Our Mission
Itsashort.com is a platform for filmmakers and creators the world over. We love the short film genre. Plus, we at itsashort.com want to introduce audiences to award-winning and award-nominated artists who create movies, web series and videos. Check outitsashort.com and subscribe for $2 a month to see the wonderful work of these creatives.
