Showtime Premieres LALIFF’s Outstanding Short Films On October 6, 2004.

In its continuing effort to promote and encourage independent filmmakers in the Latino community, Showtime Networks, in partnership with the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), will air the winners of the LALIFF’s “BEST SHORT” category. On October 6, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, PELEA DE GALLOS directed by Joel Juarez Sanchez and PREMEDITATION directed by Alberto Barboza, will premiere on Showtime as part of its annual Latino Filmmaker Showcase. This showcase has aired on Showtime the past five years during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th through October 15th.

For the past two years, Showtime has partnered with LALIFF to honor the exceptional work presented at the festival. This year the films were so outstanding, the two shorts tied for first place. In addition to having their films debut on the network, the director’s will each receive a $15,000 grant to use toward the production of a new short film which will then air exclusively on Showtime.

Also this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has elected to recognize the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the Annual Academy
Awards, which means the winning films are also eligible for Oscar nominations.

Showtime’s Latino Filmmaker Showcase will also feature THE SHOW directed by Cruz Angeles, that received an Honorable Mention at the festival and two additional films, Wednesday afternoon, written and directed by Alonso F. Mayo and ARCHIPIELAGO, written and directed by Leon Siminiani and produced by Victor Marin, which received finalist status.

Last year’s winner, George Valencia (who directed the short film MOMENT TO MOMENT) will have his new short film, WHEN I GROW UP, make its exclusive world premiere on Showtime during Hispanic Heritage Month 2004.

FILM SYNOPSIS

PELEA DE GALLOS, written and directed by Joel Juarez Sanchez A black comedy about a man responsible for a championship rooster. When his wife chops off its head and cooks it, he descends into a dark underworld to search desperately for a prize-winning replacement.

PREMEDITATION, directed and produced by Albert Barboza A story of promises made and promises forgotten. A middle-aged woman confides in a hit man whom she hired to kill her husband. Tempers flare as the woman and hit man redefine their contract.

THE SHOW, directed by Cruz Angeles and produced by Maria Topete A silent short that depicts the last moments of a man’s life as he is lynched. The audience is transported through time when a photograph of his death resurfaces in a surprising, contemporary setting.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, written and directed by Alonso F. Mayo Miguel, an East LA teenager, must make a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

ARCHIPIELAGO, written and directed by Leon Siminiani and produced by Victor Marin. A couple on their honeymoon is surprised by a man looking for La Esperanz who changes their lives forever.