LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Window opens for local filmmakers to compete in Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest


Award-winning local documentary filmmaker Reka Pigniczky will serve on the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest production committee this year. Photo provided

Lamorinda Arts Council will host its 3rd Annual ShortDocs Film Fest at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center at 3 p.m. Feb. 11. This documentary film festival provides local filmmakers an opportunity to create new work as well as showcase it at a community screening.

Entries for the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest will be accepted from now until Jan. 14. The competition is open to anyone 5 years of age or older who is living, working or attending school in Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga. Film submissions will be judged in one of four categories: elementary school, middle school, high school, and adult. One student-made film will also be selected as an Audience Favorite.

Previous Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest judges - filmmaker Julie Rubio ("East Side Sushi," "Too Perfect") and TV Producer Joel Patterson ("Pawn Stars," "The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima") - will be joined by other judges new to the 2018 festival. Award-winning local documentary filmmaker Reka Pigniczky will also serve on the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest production committee this year. Pigniczky was the winner in the adult category of the 2017 festival and her son, Lukacs Gero, won the elementary school category.

Pigcniczky looks forward to working on the 2018 festival with the hope of providing guidance to more novice filmmakers. "In the 21st century, you really have a powerful tool if you can tell a visual story, and I'm looking forward to coaching some of the more novice filmmakers who need that support to take an idea and turn it into a watchable film," Pigcniczky said.

The Feb. 11 community screening will feature selected films and accompanying award presentations. To learn more about the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest competition and to enter go to http://www.lamorindaarts.org/shortdocs.