AUGUST 21, 2017
After an exciting launch in June 2017 at ‘Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia’ (SSFF & ASIA) in Tokyo for Season 4 of Lexus Short Films, Lexus International and The Weinstein Company have now announced Patty Jenkins, best known for directing Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics’ Wonder Woman and her debut feature Monster, and Antoine Fuqua, best known for directing the films The Magnificent Seven, The Equalizer and Training Day, to join Taylor Sheridan for the film program’s selection committee.
The selection committee will be analyzing these aspiring filmmakers’ work to find the best of the best to move forward and bring their new films produced by The Weinstein Company to life. As a part of the selection committee, Patty Jenkins, Antoine Fuqua, and Taylor Sheridan will be reviewing submissions and recommending the top four films collected on Withoutabox, the premier submission service for film festivals and filmmakers. The selected finalists will also get the opportunity to meet with Jenkins, Fuqua, and Sheridan during the course of their short film production. Lexus International and The Weinstein Company hope to cultivate and transform the next wave of filmmakers by connecting them with the very best in the industry.
The film selection committee will be looking to identify which filmmakers took this year’s theme of TRANSFORMATION to heart to illustrate that amazing things happen when you transform the ordinary into extraordinary. Submissions will be accepted worldwide through Withoutabox until August 31st, 2017.
Harvey Weinstein, Co-Chairman, The Weinstein Company, said, “We are thrilled to bring such incredibly talented filmmakers into this year’s program. We are excited to see which films resonate with our committee as they bring their world-class experience to the Lexus Short Films program.”
To accompany Jenkins, Fuqua, and Sheridan, top executives of The Weinstein Company and Lexus International will also be reviewing these filmmakers’ commendable work to narrow down the four finalists. Joey Horvitz with The Weinstein Company will again be producing the films.
“We are opening doors for young talent that will help guide them in the right direction for their film careers,” added David Glasser, COO and President, The Weinstein Company.
The Lexus Short Films program supports the new generation of emerging filmmakers. With the help of Lexus International and The Weinstein Company, the program helps these filmmakers bring their imagination to life and realize their dreams.
“Our esteemed selection committee and The Weinstein Company bring an enormous amount of filmmaking expertise, so we are confident that Season 4 of Lexus Short Films will be even more successful than the award-winning Season 3,” said Spiros Fotinos, Global Head of Brand Management & Marketing at Lexus.
Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “The Lexus Short Films series is an incredible opportunity for a new generation of emerging filmmakers to demonstrate their talent and make their presence felt in the creative industry. We are delighted with the appointment of prominent industry personalities for this prestigious program, as they will not only bring their valuable expertise to the selection committee but also give aspiring filmmakers a chance to learn and improve their craft.”
Yoshitsugu added: “I thank all the participants and the international film community for supporting this project, and I also extend my warm gratitude to customers and fans from across the world who have been following the progress of Lexus Short Films and supporting us in this journey.”
To find out more about The Weinstein Company and Lexus International’s Lexus Short Films, please visit www.LexusShortFilms.com.