Winning Films in the 2nd Annual Ovation Short Film Contest to be Showcased at LACMA on July 14

Screening to be Followed by a Special Conversation with Award-Winning Director Phillip Noyce

SANTA MONICA, CA -- July 6, 2011   Ovation, the only television network dedicated to arts culture, is holding a special screening at the Bing Theater at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) for the winners in its 2nd Annual Short Film Contest on Thursday, July 14.  The screening will include a discussion with the filmmakers and award-winning director Phillip Noyce.  

The Ovation Short Film Contest, which is sponsored by poppt, a new social network for connecting talent, kicked off on March 15.  Short film entries were designated and judged in the categories of Comedy, Drama, Animation and Documentary.  Winners were notified on June 13 and include:

TOP FILM:  La Migala by Jamie Dezcalla
VIEWERS’ CHOICE:  Only in Dreams by Adam Badlotto
TOP DRAMA:  Incarnate by Jordan Fuller
TOP COMEDY:  A Reuben by any Other Name by Jeremy Lanni
TOP DOCUMENTARY:  Birth Markings by Margaret Lazarus
TOP ANIMATION:  Bike Race by Tom Schroeder

Prior to the screening, Kevin Iwashina will conduct a conversation for the audience with renowned director/filmmaker Phillip Noyce.  Mr. Noyce began his 35+ year career in his native Australia making short films.  In 1973, his 50-minute documentary film Castor and Pollux won the award for best Australian short film.  This helped pave the way for his feature film career, which includes such international hits as Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, both starring Harrison Ford; Dead Calm, starring Nicole Kidman; The Bone Collector, with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie; The Quiet American, starring Michael Caine; and Salt with Angelina Jolie.  Noyce also won the Best Picture award at the Australian Film Awards in 2002 for Rabbit-Proof Fence, a film that has since won praise and critical acclaim around the world.

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers hosted by Elvis Mitchell, veteran movie critic and the newly appointed curator of the weekly film series staged by LACMA and Film Independent.

“The Ovation Short Film Contest has grown significantly.  Film submissions doubled from last year and we have to thank our sponsor poppt for their support in getting the word out,” said Megan Smith, Community Manager, Digital Media, Ovation.  “We are so pleased that we are able to provide these talented filmmakers with multiple screens to showcase their work.”

In addition to the screening at LACMA, Top Film winner La Migala and Viewers’ Choice winner Only in Dreams will have their national television premiere on Ovation on Sunday, July 24 starting at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on the Short Film Contest screening at LACMA, please visit www.ovationtv.com/filmcontest.