Exclusive Week-Long Early Access Starts Today on Roku Platform
The Festival Returns to All PBS Digital Platforms June 15 - July 17
Click Here to Watch the Trailer
ARLINGTON, VA; June 8, 2015 – Today, PBS announced that the Webby Award-nominated PBS Online Film Festival will return for a fourth year June 15 - July 17, 2015, and will feature 25 short-form independent films from POV and a broad spectrum of public media stations and partners. The PBS Online Film Festival is part of a recently announced, multi-platform strategy to increase the reach and visibility of independent film on PBS and its member stations. The strategy will draw on strategic scheduling, digital content and distribution, social media and marketing to shine an even brighter spotlight on this important mission-focused content.
Starting today, Roku® customers will have exclusive early access to the PBS Online Film Festival for one-week via the PBS channel on Roku players and Roku TV™ models. Beginning June 15, the Festival will be available via PBS and station digital platforms including PBS.org, YouTube and PBS social media channels.
This year’s line up features films from the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), National Black Programming Consortium, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), POV, StoryCorps and Vision Maker Media, as well as PBS local member stations including Alaska Public Media, CET/ThinkTV (Cincinnati/Dayton),KLRU-TV Austin PBS, KQED (San Francisco), Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Twin Cities Public Television, UNC-TV and Vermont PBS.Promotional partners for the PBS Online Film Festival include Independent Lens and World Channel.
The PBS Online Film Festival showcases powerful and engaging stories from filmmakers across the country. The Festival has become a popular annual online event; last year it attracted more than 350,000 streams and 50,000 votes cast for the winner, as well as a nomination in the 2015 Webby Awards category for Online Film & Video: Variety (Channel).
Viewers are encouraged to vote for their favorite film to win the “People’s Choice” award. For updates on the festival, follow #PBSolff on Twitter.
“PBS, and its member stations, prides itself as the home for independent film,” said Ira Rubenstein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS Digital. “With the Online Film Festival, and the early viewing access we’re providing to millions of Roku customers, PBS and its member stations have the opportunity to bring unique, high-quality independent film to a highly engaged, digitally savvy audience.”
“We pride ourselves on delivering a streaming experience that consumers can’t find anywhere else, and giving our customers exclusive, early access to great content such as the PBS Online Film Festival entries is one of many ways we deliver that unique experience,” said Ed Lee, vice president of content at Roku. “PBS provides Roku customers with free access to an incredible selection of entertainment and educational content and is one of the most popular channels on the Roku platform. We know our customers will appreciate the opportunity to view this great selection of short films before they’re available to a broader audience.”
Short films featured in the PBS Online Film Festival include:
Alaska Public Media
“I Am a Fly Fisher”
After surviving cancer, Pudge Kleinkauf decided to spend her life doing what she loves: fly fishing.
“I Am an Alaska Native Dancer”
Follow Haliehana Stepetin, a master Alaska Native dancer born in Akutan, AK.
CAAM
“Vimana”
In the year 2021, India is on the verge of colonizing a new homeworld, but their advance team of astronauts remains suspended above the planet caring for their ailing captain and become the only hope for a fresh start.
CET/Think TV
“Sinner Victim Saint”
A newlywed husband who has recently lost his wife in a tragic car accident experiences a dark turn of events that teaches him the power of sacrifice.
“To Kill or Not to Kill”
A romantic comedy screenwriter needs to deliver a dark thriller if she wants to keep her job.
KLRU-TV Austin PBS
“Once Again”
After 20 years, filmmaker John Moore uses home movies, animation, and live action footage to recall and recreate his childhood struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
“Ex-Votos”
A helpless mother takes her ill daughter on a pilgrimage to the Huichol Mountains for the festival of Saint Francis.
“Sugarless Tea”
Through humble restraint, an Indian man strives to achieve his goal of seeing his twin brother after fifty four years of separation.
KQED (Film School Shorts)
“Banana Trip”
Three South Korean college boys head to Florida for spring break.
“11-Minute Mile”
An arrogant day-trader is delayed at an airport during the Boston Marathon bombings.
Latino Public Broadcasting
“Migrant Heroes”
An indigenous Harvard grad pioneers Spanish- and Mixtec-language radio programming in the U.S.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting
“#TheFutureisCrowdFunded”
A couple’s relationship is in jeopardy due to a successful crowdfunded venture.
“Disorder”
A young man wakes up only to find his condition has gotten the best of him. Again.
NBPC and Film Independent’s Project Involve
“Counter”
Civil rights activist Bayard Rustin spends a day in a Southern town's diner right before a march with Dr. King.
PIC
“The Fishing Club”
One of Hawai?i's last pristine shorelines is about to be turned into a large resort, and group of close friends, The Fishing Club, are determined to stop it.
POV
“Good Soil”
Against the Garzweiler II coal pit, Brothers Helmut and Joachim Meier run the nursery they built 30 years ago until the very end.
“20/Nothing”
This experimental film takes an in-depth look at a life with no depth perception as it follows Evan Smith, a man who lost his left eye many years ago.
StoryCorps and POV
“The Last Viewing”
Allen Hoe tells the story of a chance encounter with a stranger who knew his son, Army 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe, who died in Iraq.
Twin Cities Public Television
“Great Lakes Aurora Hunters”
Follow a group of photographers as they attempt to capture the elusive Northern Lights.
“Seed Art”
Take a peek behind-the-scenes at the Minnesota State Fair to see how intricate seed art is made.
UNC-TV
“Un Buen Carnicero”
An immigrant butcher reveals how freedom is tied to convenience on the eve of July 4th.
“Kilroy was Here”
A WWII pilot hanging helplessly from his tangled parachute is discovered by orphaned children.
“Helpless”
Leah and Chayse confess their true feelings in the school library while an unknown malice lurks nearby.
Vision Maker Media
“Isabelle’s Garden”
"Isabelle's Garden" is an uplifting story of a community coming together in reciprocity, through the hopes and dreams of a young, Choctaw girl and her garden.
Vermont PBS
“11 Paper Place”
A love story about two sheets of paper who meet in a recycle bin.
About PBS
PBS, with over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 103 million people through television and over 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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Contacts:
Jennifer Byrne, PBS, jrbyrne@pbs.org, 703-739-5487
Chelsey Saatkamp, Goodman Media for PBS, pbsdigital@goodmanmedia.com, 212-576-2700
