Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2010

Vera is a lonely museum curator. One cold winter evening, she finds a homeless man sleeping in her doorway at home. She decides to take care of him. First, she gives him a blanket. Then using chocolate to initiate communication, she strikes up a dialogue.

Director : Thomas Korthals Altes

Hello Japan, Hello Tokyo and Hello fellow filmmakers, Jury and everyone. First of all let me say how much I regret I couldn't be here in person, but then again Bien de Moor, the great star of 'Vera' is here, and she is a lot more attractive then I am. She's also from Belgium, not from the Netherlands, so don't hold a grudge towards her after yesterday's match.

But enough about that, back to film.
When I started out making a film without any spoken words I hoped it would be able to travel throughout Europe and some parts of the world. But to actually win such a great award on the other side of the globe shows that our language, consisting of images, is a universal one. And I hope to you 'Vera' was as inspiring to watch as it was for me to shoot.
I feel deeply honored by the jury's decision to grant Vera the 'Grand Prix' and I'm happy that Bien de Moor is here to accept the prize. Without her 'Vera' wouldn't be half of what it is now. Thank you jury! Thank you audience, and Thank you Short Shorts Film Festival!

(Dit stukje is optioneel.... hangt van de tijd af...)
The next time I'll make another short I will try to get it in the festival and be here in person. I don't know how soon this will be, but this great award will definitely help.
Thank you so much.

Photo : Actress : Bien de Moor received the award on behalf of the director.

Bonsai tells the story of Romy, an obese, insecure security guard who attempts to capture the attention of his neighbor Daisy, a laundry woman, and hopefully make her fall in love with him. The film explores insecurity and the lengths to which one is willing to go for love.

Director : Alfonso Torre III

The whole festival experience was exciting and overwhelming. It's always great to meet the festival staff, the volunteers, filmmakers and the audiences. I was thrilled to screen in Yokohama Brilla short shorts theater because the place was so beautiful and I don't think there is no other place in the world. The variation of activities were fun, like the shrine, the sweeping, the awarding ceremony and the after party.

I feel so honored when the judges decided to award "BONSAI" because it was a film that was really close to my heart. I spent my own money and collaborated with my good friends to produce the film. I really take pride as the only Filipino in the festival. I think in a way I've brought glory to my country and to my fellow Filipino filmmakers. I'm really grateful for Richard and Angel for giving life to the characters and I really wished they were there for the screening and the awards night.

The whole experience was overwhelming because the festival is so prestigious and just the fact to be selected feels like you've already won. I'm glad my story and storytelling reached the judges, it's really a nice thing when others recieve the emotion you are trying to communicate. I shivered when they announced Bonsai had won. Then the rest went like a blur from my speech to the after party where I talked to really interesting people. It was definitely one of the best moments of my life.

Thank you Shortshorts Film Festival and Asia and everyone I met. To the years to come. Keep up the good work.

Borgy took up Communication Arts in De La Salle University. Currently, he is working as a Technical Director for Revolver Studios under Film/Commercial Director Erik Matti, and also as a freelance film editor. He has self-produced, written, edited, and directed all of his 6 short films.

Alexandra visits a nursing home to introduce her fiance to her mother for the first time in 3 years. Her mother, who is afflicted with a rare disease (Korsakoff's Syndrome), doesn't recognize her daughter. Her daughter is still 4 years old in her mind.

Director : Aki Yamamoto

After graduating from Kansai Gakuin University in Literature, Aki went to France to study filmmaking. After attending a private film school, she attended a Ph.D program at a leading film school in Paris. She has made three short films in France and two others sponsored by her hometown of Nagoya.

Vera is a lonely museum curator. One cold winter evening, she finds a homeless man sleeping in her doorway at home. She decides to take care of him. First, she gives him a blanket. Then using chocolate to initiate communication, she strikes up a dialogue.

Director : Thomas Korthals Altes

Born in 1978, Thomas attended the Dutch Film and Television Academy (NFTA). "Vera" is his third project as a director.