Big Fat Independent Movies

Reel Shorts Three

Among the emerging filmmakers at this year's festival are several who are just starting out or are learning a new trade. The Reel Shorts Three program showcased said directors with a diverse selection of surreal, documentary, and animated films. "A Procession of Them" and "Centripetal Visions" – by Eugene Richards and Rachel Perry, respectively – put together collections of photos and video in order to document human behavior. "49?," by Sherman Alexie, and "Right Centric: A Snapshot of Todd V. Wolfson," by Jenn Garrison were documentaries delving into the makings of both. "Jumpers" was the definite highlight of the bunch. Mark Rinehart took several expeditions with BASE jumpers and displayed them in a magnificent – and frightening – fashion. "Grasshopper," Bob Sabiston's animated foray into the mind of a wise man, was created by the folks behind Waking Life using those same methods. "50 Ways to Set the Table" was Judy Fiskin's take on the strange world of table-setting competition. All said, this year's shorts were inventive and creative – a fine example of what will be seen from these filmmakers in the future.