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"I will never not be myself for nobody." Is that some wisdom... or a threat? There's nothing like an awkward brunch with someone you don't like. Indie filmmaker Jim Cummings has unveiled his brand new short film called The Last Bunch online - it's available to watch now. The 11-minute short just premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival earlier this month, and he's launched it on the web without any delay after the fest. The short is about two couple getting brunch at a nice restaurant in Los Angeles, and their conversation gets more and more awkward as it goes on. Starring Bridge Stuart, Dustin Hahn, Taylor Misiak, Julia Bales, Hailey Rose, and Max Fillss. It's best to enjoy this film without knowing anything about where this conversation is going or what will be going down at this lovely brunch. This short quite similar to Julia Bales' short Followers, also about awkward moments.

The American Film Institute (AFI) has officially announced the eight filmmakers for the upcoming AFI Dww+ Class of 2025 program, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program. IndieWire announces it here.

The AFI Dww+ is a year-long directing program that supports women and traditionally underrepresented narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. The short films completed in the workshop will premiere at the annual Dww+ Showcase in Spring 2025.

AFI Dww alum Hanelle M. Culpepper, who made history helming the “Star Trek: Picard” pilot and recently directed a block of episodes for “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” is this year’s AFI Dww+ Guest Artistic Director. Culpepper will oversee and direct the artistic curriculum and serve as a mentor for the Dww+ participants through their production cycle and the industry showcase, and act as an ambassador on behalf of the program.

“I remember...

"What did he say that was weird?" Don't you want to find out. Who's up for a "neurotic thriller" from L.A.? This super awkward, uncomfortable short film called Followers has debuted to watch in full online after initially premiering at film festivals earlier this year. Written and directed by filmmaker Julia Bales, it's a focused look at the lives of a nice influencer couple living in Los Angeles. Wendy has a sneaking suspicion that her meeting with Emma, who subsequently invited herself and partner over for dinner, was no chance encounter. What do they really want with her? This has such a well-played sneaky edge that's critiquing more than it seems at first glance, which is why it's so damn good. Starring Joey Ally, Jim Cummings, Taylor Misiak, and Bill O'Neill. Right at 15 mins, this is a captivating watch right to the end. View below. // Continue Reading ›...

"When's the last time you went outside?" We all love being home. And no one ever wants to move out. But sometimes we have to... Uproot is a beautiful, tender short film made by filmmaker Julia Bales. The very short synopsis: "A sister helps her brother grow." But it's really about a woman convincing her agoraphobic brother, Greg, to let go of their father's home and move out from it. Vimeo premiered the short online and adds some context: "Bales cleverly utilizes the home as Greg's self-made shelter from the outside world and the center of the drama. Both an oasis and a claustrophobic trap, the house embodies the safe spaces we all cling to when facing overwhelming challenges." Uproot stars Joey Alley and Ptolemy Slocum. I love the Vimeo image, with all the plants on the table, it makes me want to watch this. And you should watch it,...

"Just stay inside and don't engage with the individual." Stay at home and... make short films! Yet another clever, fun short film made entirely by a couple in quarantine at home. It's Outside is a horror short made by filmmakers Tim & Madelyn Wilkime, who also star in it as "the couple"; co-starring Julia Bales & Randall Park (remotely). It's a clever horror / comedy about a quarantining couple that realizes they have a ghost in their backyard. Kind of like A Ghost Story, but much scarier. This is a part of the Shelter Shorts initiative (along with that attic short) encouraging filmmakers to make shorts from home. Lock your doors. Thanks to Tim for the tip on this short. Original description from Vimeo: "A social-distancing couple has a problem outside." It's Outside is made by "Tim & Madelyn" - filmmaker Tim Wilkime & his wife Madelyn Wilkime. To see more of Tim's work...

The music hasn’t stopped playing for Jim Cummings. The 30-year-old writer-director-actor who won Sundance’s short film grand jury prize in 2016 seems to have found the holy grail for up-and-coming filmmakers: steady work. A former freelance line producer for College Humor in Los Angeles, Cummings recently transitioned into writing, directing and acting full time, and now has so many projects going simultaneousy that it’s hard to believe he was an unknown filmmaker just 18 months ago.

Read More‘Valerian’: How Luc Besson Made a $180 Million Indie That Can’t Fail

Shortly after winning Sundance with the 12-minute comedic drama “Thunder Road,” which takes place at a funeral and was shot in just one take, Cummings signed with Wme and landed a deal with subscription streaming company Fullscreen to shoot six additional shorts, all of which would be also shot in a single take, for $150,000. The money covered a...

In a new music video from College Humor, "Saturday Night Live" mainstay Jay Pharoah hilariously raps some motivational bars urging students to go to college with some help from First Lady Michelle Obama. The dynamic duo is captured in front of the White House as they rap about various subjects in an effort to inspire students to pursue a college degree if they don't want to spend their whole lives "staring at grass" and "watching paint dry."  With music composed by the Gregory Brothers (who last struck gold with the irresistible "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' theme song) and produced by Julia Bales, "Go to College" is a fun and motivational effort in inspiring our younger generation to pursue a higher education. Check out the video above. Read More: Michelle Obama Gets Animated for 'Doc McStuffins' Episode - Watch a Clip...