The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival (LA Shorts Fest), now in its 16^th year, announced its 2012 lineup, comprising some 250 short films selected from more than 1000 worldwide entries. Representing the work of filmmakers from 23 countries and featuring star-studded casts, the selected films will screen in 38 themed programs, September 6-13, at the Laemmle NoHo 7 Theaters in North Hollywood.  The complete line-up is posted www.LAshortsFest.com

“This year’s lineup is our strongest and most diverse ever,” said Executive Director Robert Arentz. “It features a balance between Hollywood films with familiar faces and independent films from new and emerging talents who represent the heart and spirit of our festival.”

This year’s films feature stars familiar from feature films and television: Ricky Gervais in Derek (UK); Jake Gyllenhaal in Time to Dance (USA); Shia LaBeouf in “Sigur Rós: Fjögur Píanó (USA); Giovanni Ribisi in Loom (USA); Jon Heder in Peter at The End (USA); Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman in Dirty Laundry (USA); Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane and Tom Wilkinson in The Gruffalo’s Child (UK); Charles Dance in The Mapmaker (UK)

The Festival also includes from a number of well-known directors: Louis D’Esposito (Co-President of Marvel Studios) directs A Marvel One-Shot: ITEM 47  (USA), Ricky Gervais wrote, directs and stars in Derek (UK), Shia LaBeouf, directs Howard Cantour (USA) and Luke Scott directing Giovanni Ribisi in Loom (USA).

The Festival’s 38 programs cover a variety of genres and themes, including action, comedies, sci-fi, terror, dramas, strong women, good vs. evil, song and dance, uplifting stories, animation for kids, teenage love, late night exotica, intervention, thrillers, mysteries, religion and politics.

Festival jurors include David Gale (Executive Vice President, MTVX), Chris Bruss, (Vice President Branded Entertainment, Funny Or Die), Larry Elder (Radio Talk-Show Host, The Larry Elder Show 790 KABC in Los Angeles), Matt Flanders (Development Executive, Plan B Entertainment) and Katie Krentz (Manager of Comedy Animation, Cartoon Network).  Winners in six categories will automatically become eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for a possible Academy Award nomination.  Over the course of 16 years, the Festival has presented 41 films that have gone on to receive Academy Award nominations.  Winners will be announced on Thursday, September 13 at a Closing Night screening and reception.

For more information, visit www.LAshortsFest.com

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