ShortsTV, the world’s leading network dedicated to short films, has announced an exciting partnership with AFI to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women (AFI DWW) initiative. This groundbreaking, tuition-free program has paved the way for traditionally underrepresented filmmakers, championing their voices in the industry since its inception. Among its esteemed alumni are Emmy® Award-nominated director Dime Davis and DGA President and Emmy Award-nominated director Lesli Linka Glatter.
Beginning Sunday, November 10, ShortsTV viewers can tune in every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT to watch a selection of short films created by talented DWW+ Alumni as part of the initiative, including PICTURE DAY directed by Kelly Pike, SOME BOYS DON’T LEAVE directed by Maggie Kiley, WILD HORSES directed by Stephanie Martin and ZELOS directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir.
This celebration will go on to feature a wider AFI showcase to close out the year, spotlighting the remarkable contributions of other talented AFI filmmakers. ShortsTV subscribers via Amazon Prime Video in the UK and the US will be able to enjoy a hand-picked selection of DWW films compiled in two exclusive film collections from November 1. Additionally, ShortsTV+ subscribers will have full access to all available DWW+ and AFI films via the app.
As part of this collaboration, audiences will also have the opportunity to engage with exclusive interviews featuring prominent AFI DWW+ Alumni, including Kelly Pike, director of the award-winning short PICTURE DAY which premieres on Sunday, November 17. The film is about an Asian American tomboy growing up on military bases struggling to fit in at a new school. When she decides to assert control over her life, one small act of rebellion sparks trouble at home, forcing her to face harsh realities about gender, power, and finding one’s place in the world. The film won Best Live Action Short at the Warsaw Film Festival, the Young Cineaste Award at Palm Springs International ShortFest and is Oscar® qualified. These insightful conversations will provide a deeper understanding of the journeys and experiences of these talented directors.
ShortsTV CEO and Founder Carter Pilcher says “We are thrilled to partner with the American Film Institute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Directing Workshop for Women. This collaboration not only honors the pioneering women who have shaped the industry but also empowers a new generation of filmmakers. At ShortsTV, we believe in the power of diverse voices and storytelling, and we are excited to highlight these incredible short films that inspire and elevate underrepresented talent in cinema.”
Director of Programming Jade Tan says, “At ShortsTV, we are dedicated to highlighting the amazing and trailblazing work of the American Film Institute and their Directing Workshop for Women initiative. This program has been instrumental in nurturing the talent of underrepresented filmmakers, and we are proud to give a platform to their compelling stories. Supporting underrepresented groups lies at the heart of our mission, and we believe that by amplifying these voices, we can enrich the cinematic landscape for all audiences.”
About ShortsTV
ShortsTV is the first and leading 24/7, linear and OTT HD TV channel dedicated to short form video entertainment, including movies and series. ShortsTV has the largest catalog of quality short form video entertainment, including award-winning and star-studded live action, animated and documentary shorts from filmmakers around the globe. Distributed globally, the channel is available in over 100 million homes across the US, India, Europe, and Latin America (where it’s known as TVCortos). It is available across the US on DirecTV (channel 573), AT&T U-Verse (channel 1789), AT&T TV NOW, Google Fiber (channel 603) and Hotwire (channel 560). ShortsTV also operates an advertising-supported connected TV channel called ‘Shorts’, which acts as a gateway to the exciting world of short films and an introduction to the premium ShortsTV service. It is available in the UK on Rakuten TV.
Online, ShortsTV offers hundreds of the world’s best independent shorts for download from stores in over 90 countries, including iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon, as well as a subscription on-demand service on Amazon Prime Video Channels in the US, UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, India and Spain (where it’s known as TVCortos). Since 2006, ShortsTV has been the only presenter of the ‘Oscar Nominated Short Films’ theatrical release in cinemas across the US and Canada, South America, Europe, India, Australia and South Africa.
ShortsTV is owned by Shorts International Ltd, is headquartered in London, England and is represented in the United States by Shorts Entertainment Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Los Angeles. The company is led by Chief Executive Carter Pilcher and is majority owned by Shorts Entertainment Holdings with AMC Networks a significant minority shareholder.
