At a special screening of select Oscar-nominated short films hosted Friday at the Google Fiber space in downtown Austin, Carter Pilcher, founder and CEO of short-film channel ShortsHD, explained the importance of short films in promoting diversity in the cinematic landscape.
"Stories from different parts of the world are important to us in film," Pilcher said. "They create opportunities for voices and stories from outside of Hollywood."
Each year, short films from three categories —animation, live action and documentary—are nominated for the Academy Awards. To be nominated, films must win a major domestic or international film festival and be voted on by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Charlie Gonzales, chairman of the ShortsHD advisory board said short films provide an "entry point" for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to gain access into Hollywood. He cited the commonalities between the goals of technology companies like Google and makers of short films.
"Google is a great example of technology moving forward and expanding the vehicle for people to watch short films," he said.
Three animated short films, "Borrowed Time," "Pearl" and "Piper," along with two live action films, "Time Code" and "Enemies Within," were aired at the event. Clips from Oscar-nominated documentary shorts were also shown. Audiences at Google Fiber spaces in Atlanta and Salt Lake City conferenced in to the live Q&A hosted afterward with directors and producers from a handful of the films shown.
Each year, short films from three categories —animation, live action and documentary—are nominated for the Academy Awards. To be nominated, films must win a major domestic or international film festival and be voted on by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Charlie Gonzales, chairman of the ShortsHD advisory board said short films provide an "entry point" for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to gain access into Hollywood. He cited the commonalities between the goals of technology companies like Google and makers of short films.
"Google is a great example of technology moving forward and expanding the vehicle for people to watch short films," he said.
Three animated short films, "Borrowed Time," "Pearl" and "Piper," along with two live action films, "Time Code" and "Enemies Within," were aired at the event. Clips from Oscar-nominated documentary shorts were also shown. Audiences at Google Fiber spaces in Atlanta and Salt Lake City conferenced in to the live Q&A hosted afterward with directors and producers from a handful of the films shown.
