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Shorts International releases Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn's short film, THE SEED on iTunes USA.
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CHELLOMEDIA acquires stake in short film company SHORTS INTERNATIONAL
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Le Pitch Clermont Ferrand Press Release Dec 2007
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EMBARGOED UNTIL NOV 5, 2007

NEW AFI Conservatory Short Films released on iTunes
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Shorts International's latest SHORTS release showcases 14 from the American Film Institute's most prestigious short film library.

LOS ANGELES - Shorts International today released 14 AFI films for purchase and download at the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). This release follows the enormously successful AFI release on iTunes last year

Shorts International has been distributing short films via the iTunes store for over a year and a half, bringing audiences regular releases throughout the year. Each release focuses on the best short film offerings within a particular category or genre: from seasonal themes to special exclusive releases such as the Oscar short films and the annual AFI short film release.

Download and own some of America's finest short filmmaking talent from the AFI.

The 14 short films selected to appear in this special release represent some of the best short films to come out of the AFI in the last few years.

Bye Bye Benjamin
Directed by Charlie McDowell, 2006
Who needs a childhood when you have stock options?
Benjamin Osgood, a savvy ten-year-old business executive, meets a coworker's daughter, and must decide how grown up he wants to be. Stars Lolita Davidovich and features Malcom McDowell & Ted Danson.

Marrying God
Directed by Duke Johnson, 2006
Sometimes finding the truth means letting go of what you believe.
In a seedy Hollywood motel where her mother works as a maid, a little girl must find the courage to confront the harsh reality of life when she discovers that nothing is quite what it seems, especially her big sister.

Duncan Removed
Directed by Peter Livolsi, 2006
When successful family man Ben Henry is offered a job that will move he and his family, Ben must confront his hidden past, Duncan Yates, the man who has been guilding him through life via an undetectable ear piece for as long as he can remember. Stars Ken Marino ("Dawon's Creek", "Veronica Mars").

Apparent Horizon
Directed by Thymaya Payne, 2006
When the American Dream becomes a nightmare... Kama, a Thai mail-order bride, moves to the U.S. with her new husband, Joseph Delaney, in search of the American dream. She soon discovers the world she hoped for is actually an emotional prison. Her only salvation is Joseph's unstable, other-worldly son, Billy. In order to escape this American nightmare, she will have to trust Billy to free her, even if it means someone must die... Stars Peter Coyote.

Grace
Directed by Camille Cellucci, 2006
"Tomorrow is Forever."
In this hauntingly beautiful film, GRACE is a poignant story about the way life delivers unexpected second chances even in our most desperate moments. Rae fears this tragic anniversary date as she drowns in a cocoon of darkness, contemplating her decision. On her knees at the ocean's edge she lets go of her life piece by piece. As she fights the waves to meet her fate, Grace, a five-year-old child, unexpectedly interrupts her. Armed with her pink suitcase full of treasures she packed herself, Grace needs help finding her way to meet her very special ""boyfriend."" Bit by bit Grace breaks into Rae's world and inspires her to embrace life and live once more.

The Red Front
Directed by Adam Goudchaux, 2007
"Sometimes the Wrong Choice is the Only Choice"
Nazi Germany, 1933. The introverted WERNER STEIN, son of a prominent underground Communist leader, has no aspirations to follow in his father's footsteps. But when he and his father are arrested by the Nazis, an SS Officer forces Werner to make an unspeakable choice. Shattered, Werner is recruited by his father's underground organization, THE RED FRONT, to exact revenge. But revenge is never simple, and again Werner is forced to make a final, deadly choice.

The Pros & Cons of Breathing
Directed by Seth Manheimer, 2006
A character-driven action film about a criminal who suffers from cystic fibrosis, a terminal illness. He's been afflicted with this condition and his criminal lifestyle, at the core, is both an expression of rage and an attempt to take control of his morality. His wish to die any other way than in a hospital has made Jude a truly fearless criminal. He is essentially more afraid to live than to die. This film is in support of Cystic Fybrosis and the Boomer Esiason foundation.

Quake
Directed by Peter Shanel, 2006
13-year-old Toby Fisher's life is starting to rift at the seams. A troubled kid growing up in a troubled house, Toby seems to be taking care of his absent mother and rebellious sister. When scientists announce the discovery of a new fault line running through his neighborhood, Toby takes protecting himself and his family in his own hands. The story takes place over one day when families break apart and the ground starts to move.

The Newman Shower
Directed by Dan Passman, 2001
"In all of camp Colman, there was only one private shower. In the summer of 1990, it was given another name. The Newman Shower."
It's the summer of 1990 at Camp Colman, and while most of his cabinmates are busy bragging about their sexual exploits, Zach Newman is keeping something secret. Ashamed to shower in front of his friends, he quickly becomes the target of ridicule, threatening his chances with Wendy, the girl he's liked for two summers. When ignoring and fighting back both prove futile, Newman is left with no choice but to do what he has most wanted to avoid... to face them.

Existence
Directed by Anthony Leonardi III, 2006
In the line between reality and illusion, life and death... can we really tell the difference? What happens when you are trapped in the line?
Everybody dies... every single one of us. In an instant, life and perception end, years of memories vanish. Will you recognize that moment? Or, will you carry on, seamlessly transitioning to a new reality? Vincent has transitioned, but he is unaware of his new place in this world. As he travels deeper into the afterlife his fate becomes painfully clear... there is no escape.

Joshua Tree
Directed by Jonathan W.A. Messer, 2002
Between earth and heaven there are dreams we have yet to imagine. Features Taylor Dane.

The Manual
Directed by Rylend Grant, 2006
A marine notification officer, James Winslow, struggles to come to terms with the death of his estranged fater. In the process of his first family notification, he begins to confront his own demons and find his way back to his family.

Mother
Directed by Sian Heder, 2006
Desperate to be rid of her toddler in order to have an affair, a dissatisfied Beverly Hills Housewife hires a stranger to babysit and ends up getting much more than she bargained for. "Mother" is a dark and funny look at neglect, and what it really means to get what we want.

Transgressions
Directed by Valerie Weiss, 2006
Careful what you wish for...""A Clockwork Orange"" meets ""Pleasantville"" in this sci-fi short set against the backdrop of a dystopian society that idolizes celebrity assassins called Agents. Carl Phillips dreams of giving his young son a 'better' life by sending him to Agent Training Camp. His wife, Sophie, doesn't share the same dream and does the unthinkable to save her son from a life of murder.


About the American Film Institute

AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. The AFI Conservatory is world-renowned for its advanced professional training designed to nurture the talents and enhance the skills of tomorrow's leading storytellers in the global motion picture and television professions. The curriculum focuses on narrative, visual storytelling through hands-on collaboration, taught by working professionals from the film and television communities. Master of Fine Arts degrees are granted in six filmmaking disciplines-Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting The AFI Conservatory has trained more than 3,000 artists since its founding in 1969. These graduates have, and will continue to have, a major impact on the art of film, television and digital media.