Shortlisted from a total of 187 short films, An Avacado Pit (Um Caroço de Abacate) has made its mark, as it currently awaits the results of the final nominee list, to be announced on Tuesday 23rd January. One of 14 nominees currently in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category, the film places the experience of a trans woman and cis man’s meeting at the fore – a lighthearted encounter free of violence and filled instead with hope and light. Marking trans writer and director Ary Zara’s debut short film, accolades garnered for the project have included wins at Clermont Ferrand, Indie Lisboa, AFI Fest, Brest European SFF and Regard. Ahead of the final nominee announcement, Ary tells us more about what it means to have been recognised by the Academy, exploring the protagonist’s connection further and what he’d like for viewers to take away from watching the film!
WhatsOnStage today announces that Melanie La Barrie and Bonnie Langford will host the 24thAnnual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major theatre prize-giving decided by the theatregoers themselves. Voting for the winners of the awards closes today.
The funeral of a loved one can be that life changing event that brings together long lost relatives and friends who otherwise wouldn’t have connected, or through time have lost contact. A time to say final goodbyes, the confrontation of life and death is stark. Exploring what these interactions look like, Blue Pear Productions’ Drop Dead reunites six souls all brought together to rehearse the funeral of Mr Bebach, an enigmatic wealthy extraordinaire. What ensues is an absurd encounter, one filled with plenty of comical twists and turns.
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