About

Our mission is to encourage creativity and spread positivity, by influencing filmmakers, performers, and artists, to stop waiting for that “one lucky break”—to, instead, open their own doors and create their own opportunities.

About Us

Tight Shortz: Short Film, Music and Art Festival is platform for emerging filmmakers, performers, and artists, to showcase their talent and display their work. Ultimately, we strive to find and feature the best, most innovative and buzz-worthy artists in need of support. Meanwhile, we plan to help financially distressed small businesses in local areas gain exposure, by encouraging them to operate booths, selling their products and services, as vendors at the festival. Our main festival is an annual event. Meanwhile, we bring smaller events to unique urban locations, in and around Los Angeles.

History

In the summer of 2009, Dream (Real birth name, in case you were wondering.) had his car stolen. Due to a shortage of available acting gigs, he began to seek out bartending jobs, using public transportation to get around. On numerous bus rides throughout Los Angeles, Dream noticed more and more areas with businesses displaying “Closed” and “For Lease” signs in now defunct store windows. At the same time, he saw some of his most talented friends in the entertainment industry leaving Los Angeles, returning to their homes across the country in search of work. As a result of the recession, almost everyone was struggling.

Affected by this realization and spurred by his own circumstances, Dream decided to stop searching for opportunity; it was time to make something happen. Something big.

With little fear and even less funding, he embarked on a five-month mission to find LA’s most gifted artists and hardest-working small businesses in need of support—be it a voice, or simply, exposure. He asked them to join him in building a community of Not Yets. As every single artist and business he approached took up the invitation, Dream realized that something was, in fact, taking shape… And that it had the potential to be extraordinary.

All he needed to provide was a stage. He envisioned one broad enough showcase everything from film, to music, to art—a platform dedicated to sharing good work and nurturing real talent. He also wanted to help financially distressed small businesses in local communities find reliable markets.

Essentially, Dream resolved to give those who have been overlooked a chance to be seen. Thus, Tight Shortz was born.

FAQ

Why short films?

Making a film can be intimidating. You have to find a writer, director, producer, and actors. Then, you have to consider your budget. Yikes! With shorts, you can write, direct, act, and produce your own work, at little to no cost. Plus, in the time it takes to showcase one full-length feature, wecan showcase several short films.

Why so many events, in different places?

With all the traffic in LA, Angelenos tend to stay in their respective neighborhoods unless forced to venture out for work or events. Los Feliz, Abbot Kinney, and the NoHo Arts District are some of LA’s urban gems. Why not bring the Tight Shortz following to these areas?

What do you spotlight on the featured video?

Everyone has a story, and some stories just need to be told. The Tight Film Crew spotlights a different artist, performer, filmmaker, small business owner, or venue, each month. And we tell their story on our homepage.

What’s up with pictures?

Our site is designed to be relevant to today’s film and television industry. We use images which purposefully tap into current film and television trends. For example, with the phenomenal success and ubiquity of “Twilight,” we couldn’t resist doing a spoof of the movie poster. We outfitted Richard Dunn and Michael Q. Schmidt (from “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”) as Edward and Bella from Twilight. And for the “Mad Men” photo shoot, we used original vintage clothing, provided by Jonathan Kanarek ( featured stylist in “Mad Men: Season 2”), to recreate the authentic look of the 1960s.

What’s in it for the filmmakers who make it to the Festival?

At each festival, we treat the filmmakers and actors to their own mini “Red Carpet” premiere. After the shorts are screened, the audience votes for “Tightest Short.” The winning film is then showcased in “Films” section of our website. Oh, and the winning filmmaker receives a pair of our cheeky, “Tight Shorts.”