There can never be enough support for emerging artists, but for film directors, LACMA pulls out a lot of stops with its Young Directors Night program. For the tenth year running, the museum showcases—and then celebrates– the emerging talent of LA’s film community in a night that provides cinema, audience participation and a late-night afterparty to mix and mingle with the filmmakers.
A sold out crowd at the Bing Theater saw six short films, culled down from hundreds of entries, with subject matter ranging from a Victorian period piece to the new lives of Iraqi refugees in the United States to an exploration of out of control young male violence. After the screening, a Q&A with the directors: Jordan Bloch, Cat Youell, Fady Hadid, Thouly Dosios, Sylvia Sether and Alex O’Flinn. Along with a host panel (Elgin James, Paul Wolff and Jennifer Wilson) the audience cast votes for the best film.
In keeping with the indie spirit of the evening, the afterparty was in held in a parking lot behind the A+D Museum and Edward Cella Art+Architecture. Guests were treated to big boxes of movie candy (Reese’s Pieces, Hot Tamales and more) plus other sweet treats from Frosted Cupcakery and Popcornopolis. Drinks came courtesy of Russian Ice Vodka, Hornitos Tequila, Karl Strauss and Malibu Family Wines. Komodo and Patty Wagon food trucks were on site.
Sylvia Sether takes the prize for directing the comedy "Overdrawn"
Director Sylvia Sether took home the Art of Film Award for “Overdrawn,” a comedy about a disgruntled bank teller who puts up with obnoxious co-workers, an out of touch boss and overly demanding customers before she’s pushed over the edge, and makes a dramatic life change with a hunky security camera repairman. Sether received an all access pass to the Los Angeles Film Festival plus a $2,000 credit at Samy’s Camera toward making another film.
