Stepping Out

'Little' films that aren't so little

The New York Short Film Concert is back at the Madison Theatre

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Short films are all the rage these days. Some of the best will be screened next Friday, April 8, in Rockville Centre, when the “New York Short Film Concert” returns to the Madison Theatre with its latest presentation.
This showcase of award-winning — and future award-winning films — presented by Asbury Shorts, New York City’s longest running short film exhibition, gives audiences the opportunity to see these little gems in a real theater format on a big screen.
“This is our fifth year hosting this concert and it’s become a popular event for us,” says Angelo Fraboni, the Madison Theatre’s artistic director. “What makes this evening so unique and different is that the audience can see some great films that don’t get a lot of exposure. These films are short and poignant and run the gamut of emotions. Each film is an act in itself.”
Now an annual event at the Madison Theatre, on the campus of Molloy College, it has captured the attention of local film buffs who return yearly.
“This has worked out well for us,” says Fraboni. “Our audience comes back time and again and brings their friends. We have now become known as a place to see film.”
The array of films presented covers all genres — comedy, drama, animation, with a documentary thrown in every now and then — from established directors and up-and-coming filmmakers. “These are clever, fun films, many of which offer an eye and window to directors who have become huge and those who are just starting out,” says Fraboni. “The films touch your heart. It’s like reading a book of short stories with a beginning, middle and an end.”
Asbury Shorts had its start 35 years ago, in 1981 (on Asbury Avenue in Westbury), by Doug LeClaire, who was then a recent graduate of New York Institute of Technology, as a showcase of student-produced shorts from local colleges. “A bunch of decided that college films needed to be seen. From that first screening it became an annual thing and much anticipated,” recalls LeClaire. “In 1987 we took it to New York City and did it once a year until we were invited to London in 1999. It was a huge success and kind of jumpstarted the thing, and it grew into what is today.” “It’s been a labor of love for those of us who work in the film business in New York. Our show is like a trip to the best film festivals in the world where you sample the elite of the short film genre but without
competition.”
LeClaire, who was a commercial producer for over two decades, has been passionate about short films since his student days, and now devotes most of his time to producing his touring film showcase throughout the U.S.
“We are very happy to bring attention to these films across the country,” he says. “We want to promote the work of these filmmakers, many of whom audiences never get to see. As short films are becoming more prominent, we are able to bring them to the general public, instead of just film festival attendees. We want to show them on a real movie screen, as opposed to watching them on YouTube. For us, it is all about the theatrical experience, showing them to an audience.”
The Madison Theatre has now become the show’s winter base on Long Island. “Because it was born on Long Island, this is such a special show for us,” says LeClaire. “The folks at the Madison Theatre have been very kind and supportive.”
And, it’s still a “concert” and not a film festival, according to LeClaire. “We are not a festival, since this is not a competitive event. We combine shorts from past screenings with current film festival winners and first-time filmmakers. We are more of an entertainment event, kind of like the classic rock show of film. We are giving life to filmmaker’s projects, some of which were completed seven to 10 years ago. So it’s a mix of old hits and new hits, just like a concert. If you don’t like a certain film, hang on and you’ll like the next one. We’re more like an off-off Broadway production.”
All films are 20 minutes or less. Or as Fraboni says, “By the time you think it’s getting long, it’s over. “
The program features selections that have won honors on the film festival circuit and, of course, Academy Award-nominated titles.
“This year’s edition, “The Best of Asbury Shorts,” features a mix of some of LeClaire’s favorites, along with new hits. “The films (10 to 11 in all) all have different pedigrees,” he notes. “They all make a statement.”
Actor Robert Clohessy, familiar to many from his TV roles in “Blue Bloods” and “Law and Order,” is the evening’s host. He also appears in one of the films, “The Last Taxi Driver,” from Merrick’s Debra Markowitz, who produced, directed and wrote the horror comedy. Since its premiere last summer at the Long Island International Film Expo, the little film has attracted buzz at local film festivals.
“I’m very excited,” says Markowitz, who, when she is not making films, serves as Director of the Nassau County Film Office and Vice President of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation. “I’ve been a fan of Asbury for a long time. It’s been especially gratifying is to have The Last Taxi Driver accepted to screen at Asbury. They take very few films, and to have them invite my film is an exciting honor for me.”
“It was my first film and I didn’t know how it would turn out. It’s a silly comedy that was really made for fun, but I had a great team of producers involved and once Robert Clohessy and Deborah Twiss came on board, all kind of craziness broke out in the best possible way. Now it has become a cult classic on the film festival circuit, which is amazing.”
Clohessy stars as an angry taxi driver who refuses to give up his route even though most of the world around has been taken over by zombies. “This film is really well made,” says LeClaire. “It shows you how talented Robert Clohessy is and his range as an actor. I saw it and liked it a lot. I also respect what Debra has done with her festival [the Long Island International Film Expo]. I’ve become a devotee of her work. We are glad it’s representing local talent. Kudos to Debra.”
Another selection, “Timmy Brothers: Water Makers,” written and directed by Paul Riccio, focuses on a pair of fictional Brooklyn-based brothers who bottle high-priced blends of water in a tongue-in-cheek parody of the craft and artisanal goods movement. The short, all five and half minutes of it, opens the show this year.
Also garnering acclaim is “Tulip,” a 2001 Academy Award nominee for Best Action Short Film. Directed by Rachel Griffiths (familiar to fans of HBO’s “Six Feet Under), it’s the story of a recent widower who has to reluctantly take care of his deceased wife’s pet cow…named Tulip. “This is Griffith’s directorial debut, and is a charming, tender film,” says LeClaire.
He also touts “The Girl and the Gondola,” from Abbe Robinson of the United Kingdom. A multiple film festival winner, it focuses on 10-year-old Carla who lives in Venice and dreams of becoming a gondolier like her father. However 900 years of Venetian tradition and the disapproval of her parents stand in her way. “It’s a wonderful short drama with outstanding acting,” LeClaire says. “It’s a simple story and was the young girl’s first acting experience. It’s beautifully shot and well done overall.”
“As always,” LeClaire reminds everyone, “an Asbury show is unpredictable.” That means that there will some surprises thrown in at the last minute, often in response to audience requests.

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