At the almanac 253 Short Film Party a few weeks agone, nosotros were the first to run into the eclectic assortment of films produced by established and first fourth dimension local filmmakers. #253Seconds is our annual commemoration of inventiveness and Tacoma-centric, truly indie films.

Spotlighting Local Movie

Of the 31 registered teams, 29 teams completed and submitted films by the deadline. Nosotros screened these amazing brusk films at the premiere party on Friday May 5, 2016.

253 party filmmaker fave badges

Many of those participating filmmakers joined u.s. at the political party, proudly wearing their filmmaker badges, and some of the actors made appearances in character. Check out our photo anthology on Facebook to see if you can spot the likes of "Charles Beardly" and the neon fringed "Talking Heads" captured by our photographers.

This yr's films incorporated multiple nods to local businesses such as Corina Bakery, Stadium Thriftway, Almond Roca, The Harvester, Happy Teriyaki, Guitar Maniacs, Sanford & Sons, Bob'due south Java Jive, and more great local spots.

It was a true please to see teams deploy all the required elements in myriad ways:

An Allergy

We saw a man allergic to dearest, a pneumatic "chimera daughter" sally from under her deject of perceived allergies, a jilted (feline allergic) lover housing his ex-girlfriend'due south cat to bait her into a revenge plot, and seasonal allergies strike during an Uber ride.

253 faves tooth brushes

A Toothbrush

This year'due south prop (a toothbrush) took center stage in some films, like in A Brush With Love where ii personified toothbrushes rendezvoused on a bath countertop, as an obsessive/compulsive habit involving much teeth-brushing in public restrooms, as a romantic interest, and as a prop infused with powers to defeat villains in a Twin Peaks-inspired short produced by Finley Mimbles.

Line of dialogue

The line, "That's All She Wrote," appeared in many forms including (somewhat predictably) ruminations on break up letters, a karaoke interlude, and cleverly, equally 2 divide thoughts: "That's all. She wrote."
A quick search across social media of #253seconds gives you a glimpse into our filmmakers' process with behind the scenes images and videos of our teams racing the clock to write, shoot, and edit a short moving-picture show within the bridge of 72 Hours.

And the Winning Films�

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Jury Option

Our panel of jurists usually comes to a articulate consensus on their option of best-made motion picture to receive the jury accolade, but this year's blithe picture show from Nick Butler, The Male monarch's Cake, and veteran filmmaker Adam Utley'south The Rehearsal (moins coude) tied for the Jury Choice Honor, each receiving custom-made awards thanks to the genius folks at FabLab 3-D printing. Run into these filmmakers receiving a shared accolade here.

Audition Choice Friends at the party cast voting ballots and the masses declared multi-twelvemonth participant, and now six-time winning filmmaker, Bryan Johnson every bit their favorite for Gritity.

Our jury of film aficionados determined the other award categories:

Best Employ of the line, "Dusty Rivers -That'south All She Wrote" (Ryan Loiselle)
All-time Utilise of a local business concern: Food for Idea (Brian Robinson & Silong Chunn)
All-time Use of an allergy: No Delivery (Peter Johnson)

Click the picture show links to a higher place to run across photos of each honor recipient.

Local Fun

253 faves photo boothWe enjoyed tasty, locally fabricated pizza and treats thanks to our friends at Sammy's Pizza, Katy Downs, Hello, Cupcake and Europa Bistro, and attendees helped selection this year'due south winning picture in the Audience Choice Voting. Nosotros also gave away lots of toothbrushes.

Filmmaker Interviews

F or the commencement fourth dimension this yr, we interviewed the filmmakers on-photographic camera and they shared stories almost what it was like to participate in the challenge, advice for side by side year'southward aspiring participants, and updated the states on other projects they have in the works. Visit our Youtube page to see the finished production of these interviews.

Looking Frontwards

This was only my 2d time at the event and I'm already looking forrard to next year's competition and party and how we tin make these events even bigger and improve for anybody.

We heard feedback from some of you lot - and we agreed - that the sound quality was not what it should exist. Our squad has gotten to the bottom of the sound bug from this year, and we're working on solutions to address these challenge then that adjacent yr's films look and sound as excellent equally the possible.

In 2017, expect another line up of about 30 original short films crafted past our expanse's best and emerging filmmakers, plus chances to meet these creatives, network, win cool stuff and take an excellent fourth dimension!

253 faves crowd shot 4

The next 253 Brusk Film Competition will boot off once again in tardily Apr 2017.

If you want to be added to the list of prospective teams to be the first to hear about the claiming, ship us an email at thegrandcinema@gmail.com and we will proceed you in the loop. Registration spaces sold out several weeks in advance of the contest this year (equally did the express waiting list). We encourage serious competitors to sign upwards every bit soon every bit the opportunities open in March 2017. Learn more than about how the competition works hither.

Desire to Watch the Films Again?

Search Comcast On Need for a gamble to lookout or re-watch all this year'south films before long. Or if yous're like me and partial to keepsakes, you lot can buy a DVD containing all of this twelvemonth'due south 253-second films at our box office.

Thank you for supporting The Grand and helping us serve Tacoma as a hub of inventiveness and cultural vitality each time you attend ane of our films or events.