Review of News for the Church

I was fortunate to be among the audience members present for the Rhode Island International Film Festival opening night screening of NEWS FOR THE CHURCH. I say fortunate not because of the famous actor turned director connected to the film, but because the film is beautiful in its rendering, the story compelling in its pace, and the acting [mostly] honest and fresh. I am an avid fan of short films, which I believe are the poetry of the film world. Those who participate in the production of shorts do so out of a passion for film and cinematic storytelling. It's definitely not a get rich ever--or even a break even--medium. The passion that drives short-form filmmakers is similar to that which drives poets, and NEWS is no exception. It is simply beautiful. Cinematic ally, I would liken it to THE BOOK AND THE ROSE, which garnered several awards during its festival run two years ago and which was also, coincidentally, based upon a short story. As the Grand Prize winner at Rhode Island's Festival, NEWS is also eligible for an Academy Nomination. It has the potential to go all the way--and I hope Academy members will not only nominate it for the Short Film category, but also give it the nod it deserves on the night of the awards. Congratulations cast and crew on a fabulous film! (Incidentally, I am not only a fan of mini masterpieces, but I also teach Short Script Writing courses at the University of New Hampshire, and will begin teaching Short Script Writing Workshops this fall--starting in Rhode Island where I am also the Festival's ScriptBiz Director, which I guess illustrates my bias as well as my [limited] knowledge of the form.)