MERIDEN and WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — A film festival fundraiser at the Briggs Opera House will help benefit the Aidron Duckworth Art Museum in Meriden.
The worlds best short films reel into White River Junction on Friday, July 6, at the 37th Asbury Short Film Concert at The Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, Vermont.
“Asbury Shorts” is New York City’s longest running short film exhibition. This special screening of world-renowned, independently produced short films is co-presented by The Aidron Duckworth Art Museum. The first film will blast onto the screen at 7:30 p.m. The screening is strongly recommended for ages 16 and “way above.”
Asbury Shorts Concerts combine award-winning shorts from the past with new international festival honorees, creating a rare opportunity for audiences to see world-class short films on a real cinema screen, rather than You Tube or smart phones, according to organizers. Oscar nominated director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking and Young Adult) calls Asbury Shorts “the best short film show I’ve ever seen.” The highly entertaining evening features the best in comedy, drama and outstanding animation.
Asbury Shorts is celebrating the work of women directors in this year’s presentation. Highlights will include “The Suitor,” a dark comedy from director Kate Riedl of Australia, a surreal tale of a young courtship in the wilds of the Australian Outback; “The Drive,” the poignant story of Evie, a loving daughter who struggles with role reversals as she drives her aging parents to an assisted living facility; and director Amy Nicholson’s documentary “Pickle,” which examines the complicated relationships humans have with their pets in a film of unexpected warmth and mirth.
Asbury Shorts has been presented at The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Lake Shore Theatre in Chicago, Summer Stage in Central Park, Director’s Guild Theater in Manhattan, The AERO Theatre in Santa Monica, CA, Royal Festival Hall in London, U.K., The Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida, The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, New Jersey and the Leminske Theater in Berlin, Germany, among others. This is the first screening at the Briggs Opera House.
The Aidron Duckworth Art Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the artworks of Aidron Duckworth, in accordance with a Trust established by the artist in 1997. More than 1,250 drawings and paintings are held by the Trust, a charitable public educational organization registered in New Hampshire with nonprofit status. Their aim is to present the works of Aidron Duckworth and continue his conversation with the world, encouraging artistic awareness and creativity. Aidron Duckworth was a big supporter of film as chair of art departments at the University of South Dakota and Natal University in South Africa.
The Briggs Opera House is located at 5 South Main St. in White River Junction. Tickets to the 37th Asbury Short Film concert are $10 and can be reserved at www.aidronduckworthmuseum.org under the Asbury Shorts USA section of the site.
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