Short and Funny: Just The Way We Like It

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 27, 2005 12:27PM

Like movies? Like comedy? Have an attention span so short that shiny objects distract you? Then the Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival might be for you.

The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival is currently in its eighth year. Featuring up-and-coming local independent filmmakers like Jim Zulevic, D.P. Carlson, Tracy Letts, and former Project Greenlight finalist Scott Smith (no relation), the fest features 37 films under ten minutes with some as short as one or two.

Though the fest has always focused exclusively on Chicago filmmakers, this year they’re trying something new by handing out a Best of the Festival jury award. So it’s just like Cannes except without all the expensive outfits or Roman Polanski showing up to convince people to get in a hot tub with him.

Fans of Schadenfreude (the comedy troupe, not the concept) will want to check out Robo Clones, a story about creepy co-workers acted by the troupe. The fest will also screen excerpts from the documentary Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River with a discussion led by the director D.P. Carlson. Finally, we’re really looking forward to Three on a Theme, a series of really short films about different kinds of pi(e) in baked, mathematical and dog varieties.

The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival is one night only—tomorrow at the Music Box Theatre with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 PM. Each show offers a completely different lineup and is only $10 each. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card through Ticketweb at 866-468-3401 or by visiting Ticketweb.com. You can also get day-of-show tickets at the Music Box box office starting at noon tomorrow.