All five of this year's Oscar-nominated live-action short films will be screened Thursday at the Majestic 12 Theater, courtesy of the Arts & Education Council.
The event is taking place with the help of Tugg Inc. a new, Austin, Texas-based Web platform that works to help local movie theaters host film screenings. Spokeswoman Laurel Eldridge said the AEC had to pledge that at least 50 people would attend in order to get the shorts collection.
The program, which officially launched at this year's South by Southwest festival, selected Chattanooga as a pilot city to test the system, Eldridge said.
Recently, the AEC has been struggling to bring nonmainstream film offerings to Chattanooga. Red tape with studios and distribution companies has made it more challenging to bring limited-release independent films to the Scenic City.
An organization like Tugg can help them create some interesting screening opportunities for those whose film interests go beyond wide releases.
"It's way more challenging to get movies into the series than it used to be," Eldridge said.
On Thursday night, a speaker, to be announced, will be on hand to monitor a question-and-answer session after the screenings.
THE FILMS
"Pentecost" - Ireland, 11 minutes
Plot: When Damian is forced to serve as an altar boy at an important Mass in his local parish, he faces a difficult choice: conform to the status quo or serve an extended ban from his passion in life, football.
"Raju" - Germany and India, 24 minutes
Plot: A German couple adopt an Indian orphan. When their child suddenly disappears, they realize they are part of the problem.
"The Shore" - Northern Ireland, 30 minutes
Plot: The uplifting story of two boyhood best friends, Joe (Ciarán Hinds) and Paddy (Conleth Hill), divided for 25 years by the tumult in Northern Ireland - until a reunion brings unexpected results.
"Time Freak" - United States, 11 minutes
A neurotic inventor creates a time machine, only to get caught up traveling around yesterday.
"Tuba Atlantic" - Norway, 25 minutes
When 70-year-old Oskar in Norway is told that he has only six days to live, he wants to put things right with his brother, who lives in New Jersey. A huge horn, built by the brothers when they were kids, stands at the edge of the sea. Will its sound cross the Atlantic?