It is not a bad time to be making a short films, what with new festivals for short subjects cropping up on both coasts recently, and terrific showcasing opportunities through CineBLAST! or the Short Cinema Journal. Now, back for its third installment is PHAT Shorts, a weekly short film screening series returning in February.

"This is an opportunity to see a movie like movies were meant to be seen," said founder Andre Hereford, "with people who want to see movies rather than people who are getting paid (to see movies)." The non-industry aspect of the event is a key element for Hereford, who works for Spike Lee's Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Echoing the sentiment is Kelly Markus of the non-profit film and theater production company, Packawallop Productions.

Packawallop and Hereford premiered the series in 1995 and organizers vow to maintain a balance of industry versus non-industry audiences, despite an increase in interest and the addition of two major sponsors &£45;- HBO and Remy Martin. The series will again be free to moviegoers (although there is a $5.00 suggested donation), no reservations are taken, and the submission fee is a reasonable $15.00.

The half dozen organizers of PHAT Shorts are unpaid and they vow to again offer an eclectic selection of short films that their press materials call "a provocative mix of inventive, entertaining shorts." The event will again remain non-competitive, as Markus explained, "if you get in you've won."

(c) indieWIRE