BILL GOODYKOONTZ

Republic, One Day University host short-film class, 3/14

Bill Goodykoontz
USA TODAY NETWORK
Bill Goodykoontz
  • All eight films have won awards at festivals.
  • Doug LeClaire is an expert in short film. He teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
  • Bill Goodykoontz is the film critic for %27The Arizona Republic%27 and chief film critic for Gannett.

Short films are a great art form; if you've never watched a good one, you'd be surprised at how much story, emotion and impact directors can pack into a relatively few minutes.

Now's your chance to catch up. On Saturday, March 14, I'm going to co-host a class, presented by The Arizona Republic and One Day University, with Doug LeClaire, a bona fide expert. The subject: "8 Short Films Every Movie Lover Should See." The venue: Harkins Scottsdale 101 (Republic subscribers get a $30 discount).

LeClaire knows his stuff when it comes to short films. He teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and is the director of the traveling short-film exhibition "Asbury Shorts New York."

I've participated before, and can tell you that the One Day University is a unique and enlightening experience. The list of films alone should be enough to get you there:

"Panhandler Party" — Winner, audience favorite, Serenbe Film Society's Shorts at Sundown competition.

"Spin" — Winner, best short film, Santa Barbara Film Festival and San Francisco Film Festival.

"Stalker Guilt Syndrome" — Winner, audience award, American Film Institute.

"Zen and the Art of Landscaping" — Winner, best of show, Aspen Short Film Festival.

"Death, Taxes and Apple Juice" — Winner, audience favorite, Los Angeles Short Film Festival.

"The Quality of Mercy" — Winner, best short film, Montreal World Film Festival.

"Globe Trot" — Global winner, best short film, WorldFest Houston.

"In God We Trust" — Winner, grand prize, Sundance Film Festival.

'8 Short Films Every Movie Lover Should See'

When: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Where: Harkins Scottsdale 101, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix.

Admission: $99; $69 for Republic subscribers (coupon code PHX69).

Details: 800-300-3438, onedayu.com.