6th Annual African American ShortsFest at Dim Mak Studios Hollywood

Emerging independent filmmakers showcase impressive socially relevant works

Complimentary gourmet popcorn bar

Dim Mak Studios Hollywood, along with Cinespace, hosted the 6^th Annual African American ShortsFest on Sunday February 17, 2013. A hip, multi-cultural, multi-generational crowd gathered at the second floor Hollywood Blvd. hotspot for cocktails and a gourmet popcorn bar, before an intimate question and answer session with the evening's featured filmmakers.

The 2013 African American ShortsFest crowd at Dim Mak Studios Hollywood

6^th Annual African American ShortsFest festival organizer, Kimberley Browning, took the stage first to introduce the emerging independent filmmakers who would be showcasing their works. "We thank you for joining us for our annual celebration of new film by African American filmmakers. We continue the mission to share the outstanding work of filmmakers and animators exploring new themes and crafting breakthrough storytelling that will expand the future of American Cinema, and African American images in film."

6th Annual African American ShortsFest festival director Kimberley Browning (second from left) with the 2013 Contributing Filmmakers Panel

This year's African American ShortsFest contributing filmmakers were: Hilliard Guess, Erik White, Mathew Ellison, Tahir Jetter, Rocky Scott, Kelly Perine and Adam Rubin, and Life Garland. The trailer for Kelly Perine and Adam Rubin's short film A Perfect Day can be seen in its entirety on YouTube.

Hilliard Guess' "4Closure"

Themes of women's body image perception, marriage, gender identity, urban crime and the use of police force, teenage gun violence, unemployment, mental illness and socio-economic decline were explored in impressive dramatic, comedic and animated short films. The evening's showcased works were promising, socially relevant samples of more great work to come from these talented and effectively expressive emerging independent filmmakers.