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The Short Short Story Film Festival highlights some of the world’s best “short-short” independent films, which all tell a story in less than six minutes. This year marks its 10th edition, returning to Worcester on Dec. 3 at Cinema 320, having previously screened to an enthusiastic audience at The Sprinkler Factory last year.
Co-organizer and creative director Toni Pennacchia said, “This year’s programs feature both live-action and animated films. While it might seem unusual to mix the styles, the festival is about the story and not the medium to tell it. It’s a small festival of small films, but it’s still world-class quality.
“We present a wide variety of themes and moods in the same time of a typical feature-length film. The success of these stories is that they are driven more by depth than length. We focus both on succinctness and genuine storytelling – our films aren’t just concept pieces.”
Pennacchia said despite their brevity, the films have classic story elements such as a buildup of conflict and resolution, though some things may be more implied than stated. Having decades of experience as a radio DJ inspires her keen approach to programming flow for the several dozen bite-sized films.
The Heartstrings program, which screens at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., explores films of a more sentimental nature – comic, romantic or tragic. The Headtrip program, screening at 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., presents weirder and more off-center films, from black comedies to thrillers and even head-scratchers.
This year’s festival expands audience participation by allowing the audience to vote for its favorite films in each program. Also, DJ Madame B will mix soundscapes before and between screenings to accompany the background slideshows which introduce the festival’s filmmakers.
MergingArts Productions is an organization dedicated to cultural programming encompassing film, music, visual arts, technology and media.
Cinema 320 has been presenting great independent and international films to the Clark University and greater Worcester communities since 1982.
For more information, visit mergingartsproductions.com or
