Exec Director Jon Fitzgerald also introduces Hollywood Network lineup, CineCause Spotlight, and Gravidi Video Platform for films in the Spotlight.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 8, 2013 — (PRNewswire) —  The Hollywood Film Festival's Executive Director Jon Fitzgerald has announced the 23 short films chosen for competition at the annual fest, which kicks off its 2013 season on October 18^th at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood.  With the establishment of new programs, themes and events, Fitzgerald will enhance the mandate of "bridging the gap" between established Hollywood and the film industry, an original mission of the Festival now in its 17^th year.

The shorts film programs have been grouped by genres and themes many of which connect back to the Celebrate Hollywood and CineCause Spotlight. Docs – Exploring Culture all offer a rare glimpse into our culture, past, present and future. (Asia One, Do Not Duplicate, Sleeping with Suri), CineCause – Youth and Consequences embrace kids as the future, how we treat them, teach them and respect them will have a direct impact on all of us, for better or for worse. (Children Next Door, School's Out, Slave Queen), Narrative – Dependency focuses on complicated relationships and for the heroes in this program dependency proves difficult to overcome. (The Bright Side, Cash for Gold, Home, Six Letter Word), European Film Showcase – Transitions offers change as a good thing, but as we see with these characters, their next chapter is full of surprises, some more rewarding than others (Avant Que De Tout Perde, The Golden Bough, Wannabes), Family – Growing Up is all about children and coming of age. From superpowers to imagination, role playing to fighting off bullies, it's all part of the package. (Learning to Fly, Lucy, The Scenes, The Swimmer), Animation – Adaptation showcases Science achievement and medicine which often converge to push the boundaries for living creatures and their environment (The Collector's Gift, Day 6011, Feral, Rescue, Vengeance+ Vengeance), Student - Identity Crisis highlight stories about identity. Are we honest with ourselves, and with each other?  Who, or what, do we love? (Iris, Home, Josephine & the Roach, Paulie)

Shorts and Feature filmmakers will have an opportunity to participate in the new Hollywood Network® program, sponsored by FilmLA; a series of round table discussions between independent filmmakers and Hollywood industry professionals.  "The industry is always looking to discover emerging new talent," says Fitzgerald.  "Hollywood Network® gives both Filmmaker and Executive the opportunity to meet and form relationships through a festival experience." This is yet another step in HFF efforts to "bridge the gap" between established Hollywood and the global creative community, an original mission of the festival.  Selected Industry Participants include: Producer Laura Bickford (Traffic), David Dinerstein along with reps from: Gravidi, Paradigm, Showtime, Preferred Content, CAA, and Chill. 

In addition to the onsite opportunities for Arclight audiences to get involved with the causes reflected in the CineCause films, a unique video App – Gravidi ( http://gravidi.com) - that offers users hot spots to learn more about projects and related causes, with a donation platform, will support the shorts and features highlighted in the CineCause Spotlight ( http://www.causecinema.com). Gravidi, Inc. has developed patented interactive technology with offices in Los Angeles and Baltimore.  (Shorts utilizing this platform will include:  Asia One, Mountains Will Move, Children Next Door, Schools Out, Running Blind and Slave Queen).

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Hollywood Film Festival bridges the gap between established Hollywood and the global creative community, providing an avenue of discovery for emerging filmmakers.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Festival will initiate a series of meetings between independent filmmakers and industry professionals, through the Hollywood Network program. And with an aim toward promoting philanthropy and social awareness, HFF engineered the "Hollywood Gives Back" project to showcase the industry's artists who have supported a variety of important causes around the world. CineCause will enable up-and-coming independent artists to be honored alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Networking opportunities rarely get better than this.

Taking place in the heart of the film industry, HFF makes it easy for attending filmmakers to connect with agents, producers, distributors, and other top industry decision-makers. HFF provides all exhibiting filmmakers with VIP Passes, granting access to premieres and screenings at the Festival Submit your film today for the chance to put yourself directly in front of the film industry's biggest movers and shakers!

Tickets and Showtimes: https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movies/festivals/hollywood-film-festival

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For more information go to www.hollywoodfest.com

SOURCE Hollywood Film Festival

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Hollywood Film Festival Hollywood Film Festival, 310-288-1882 Web: http://www.hollywoodfest.com