Tag: Film Business

Academy Awards, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – Letitia Wright’s Highway to the Moon – A Directorial Debut That Cuts Deep

By Mary Salis In her searing directorial debut, Highway to the Moon, Letitia Wright proves she is not only a formidable on-screen talent but a visionary filmmaker with an unflinching sense of purpose. Commissioned by WePresent and now making waves on the international festival circuit, including screenings at the BFI London Film Festival and an Oscar®-qualifying nod from HollyShorts, this genre-blending short is as emotionally resonant … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – Letitia Wright’s Highway to the Moon – A Directorial Debut That Cuts Deep

Unknown's avatarEditorLeave a comment
Awards Season, Film Review, Live action short, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – OLIVE – A Masterclass in Directing and Performance

By Mary Salis In OLIVE, director Tom Koch and legendary actress Lesley Ann Warren collaborate on a devastatingly intimate portrait of love, memory, and the slow, painful erosion of self through Alzheimer’s. Clocking in as a short film, but resonating with the emotional weight of a full-length feature, OLIVE is a stirring, nuanced piece that showcases the power of restrained direction and raw, immersive performance. Directing: Tom Koch’s … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – OLIVE – A Masterclass in Directing and Performance

Unknown's avatarEditorLeave a comment
Film Business, Filmmaker Spotlight, Oscars, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Tom Koch on OLIVE “In the edit, through Lesley Ann Warren’s performance, I realized something even more powerful”

The awards season is heating up, and among the standout contenders is a deeply affecting short film that has quietly become a festival favorite. With its poignant narrative, elegant direction, and a powerhouse performance from the legendary Lesley Ann Warren, OLIVE is more than just a film, it’s a meditation on love, memory, and the human spirit. At the heart of OLIVE is filmmaker Tom Koch, a rising … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Tom Koch on OLIVE “In the edit, through Lesley Ann Warren’s performance, I realized something even more powerful”

Unknown's avatarEditorLeave a comment
Awards Season, Film Review, Live action short

OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – The Mourning Of: A Quiet Triumph of Grief and Grace

By Jane Fitzgerald The award-winning short film The Mourning Of has officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards®, marking a milestone in its remarkable journey through international film festivals. Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, The Mourning Of tells the story of Maribel, a young woman mourning the tragic loss of her mother in an unusual way, by secretly attending the funerals of … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – The Mourning Of: A Quiet Triumph of Grief and Grace

Unknown's avatarEditorLeave a comment
Awards Season, Live action short, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Daniel Persitz on the True Story Behind KEY OF GENIUS

Daniel Persitz paints a powerful portrait of virtuoso pianist Derek Paravicini in Key of Genius. Blind and autistic since birth, Derek communicates through music with astonishing fluency, and the film, based on Adam Ockelford’s memoir In the Key of Genius, captures not only his extraordinary gift but also the transformative mentorship that shaped it. Oscar-qualified after screenings at Cleveland, HollyShorts, Raindance, and the Los Angeles Diversity … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Daniel Persitz on the True Story Behind KEY OF GENIUS

Unknown's avatarEditorLeave a comment