Taking place over the course of five days (April 2-6, 2003) in one of the swankest, most scenic locations in the United States, the twelfth annual Aspen Shortsfest is a showcase for a popularly overlooked medium that has, in recent years, become possibly the most important vehicle for new cinematic voices. Shown in Aspen's Wheeler Opera House in 120-minute bundles, the shorts are selected across several mediums, stocks, and nations. The premier shorts festival in the United States, winners at the Aspen Shortsfest are eligible for Academy Awards consideration; this year's program features 2002 documentary short-subject winner Twin Towers (Robert Port and Bill Guttentag); a new series of shorts from Aardman featuring Wallace & Gromit; Bob Rafelson's short Porn.com (currently banned in Europe); and, after my own heart, a new Bill Plympton cartoon (Parking).

As the festival continues to expand and increase in esteem, its guest list and program of special events begins to take on the look and feel of the major North American festivals. This year finds a "Masterworks: Directing" seminar featuring: Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy), Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Election), David Siegel and Scott McGehee (The Deep End), George Hickenlooper (The Man from Elysian Fields), and, rumour has it, Julie Taymor (Titus, Frida). Opening night features up-and-comer (and FFC favourite) Peter Sollett, bringing his feature-length debut Raising Victor Vargas (an expansion of his award-winning student film, Five Feet High and Rising), while a tribute to Conrad L. Hall includes a screening of the triple-Oscar winner's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Showcasing Walt Disney "Silly Symphonies," which are almost as twisted as Uncle Walt's later WWII propaganda pieces, I'm personally looking forward to the "Planet Cinema" line-up. Tickets go on sale March 26--for a complete listing of programs and functions, please visit the official website (http://www.aspenfilm.org). FILM FREAK CENTRAL is proud to be providing full coverage of the Aspen Shortsfest this year; see you there!