WHAT IS
PISS FEST?
PISS Fest! celebrates the brevity longed for
by Attention Deficit Disorder sufferers by
showcasing the best films that clock in at
10 minutes or less. Yes, running time is the
only common theme. If you find other hidden
messages or themes in the selection process,
the CIA needs you.
BACKGROUND ON THE FESTIVAL
Portland Filmmaker Tony Fuentes started PISS Fest! in 2002 as an elixir for the ADD-addled cinephile and it has enjoyed the attention of ever-growing audiences and filmmakers alike. Films screened in the past have run the gamut of themes and styles—from the dark and avant-garde to the hilariously absurd—with the only common thread among them being running time: ten minutes or less. PISS Fest! is like a typical film festival on Jenny Craig: lean and mean, and screened over just a few days a year.
PISS Fest! encourages independent filmmakers from around the world to submit their shorts, with the only requirement being running time. Potential films are judged on the merits of creativity, originality, and overall quality. As with prior festivals, we plan to strike an eclectic and cosmopolitan balance of films. You might, for instance, watch a somber, five-minute social commentary on capital punishment, followed by an audacious, experimental non-narrative, followed by a bawdy animated short about the romantic entanglements of silverware. The spirit of the festival itself is likewise a celebration of great filmmakers making great art.
We feel that within the independent film industry there is a paucity of venues for the art of the short film. Short films can be a testing ground, as well as a field laboratory for both novice and experienced filmmakers, but the medium should also be given the due respect of any feature-length movie. Unhindered by burgeoning budgets and committees of fiscally-minded “entertainment experts”, artists are allowed a level of creative control almost nonexistent in the world of feature films. Small budgets, lack of resources, and tiny crews, mean that the filmmaker must push for brevity, innovation, and experimentation, often with wonderful results. Plus, with such a brisk running time, short films are just the ticket for audiences with “commitment issues”! Our goal with the PISS Fest! is to exalt the short film, and to create a wider audience for this often-overlooked art form.
WHY SHOULD I SUBMIT TO PISSFEST?
Because like us, you desire a flair for elegance in the crowded field of film festivals. Who hasn't bemoaned the lack of panache in today's film market? Where's the exotic? Where's a response to the corporate shindigs disguised as grassroots entertainment? Well PISS Fest! is ready to shake the tree of mega-tainment from it's very roots and savor the neglected fruits that fall from its branches. And we know you are, too.
PISS Fest! is an internationally recognized annual showcase for some of the best independent short films from around the world. PISS Fest! showings are nearly always at capacity. Also, PISS Fest! featured films are often requested by other short film festivals just because they were in PISS Fest!. Selected film information is maintained on the zonkerfilms.com website which ensures a high amount of web exposure. The PISS Fest! is highly placed in every major search engine when searches for short film fest are conducted and the PISS Fest! website also enjoys a high amount of traffic.
PISS Fest! has been featured on the Film Festival Channel, Sundance Channel and MovieMaker Magazine.
ABOUT FILM ACTION OREGON
Established by the Governor's Office in 1992, Film Action Oregon (FAO) is a growing arts organization whose purpose is to foster the indigenous filmmaking community and to educate Oregonians about this art form. Filmmakers who partner with FAO receive assistance with fundraising, artistic critique, distribution strategies, in-kind editing equipment, screening venues and other support. We love them!
