UPDATE: I was incorrectly informed that MARS-II would screen in Seattle. Sadly, it did not take part in the Crypticon event.

Exciting news to share! Just over a week ago, I was messaged on the MARS-II FACEBOOK PAGE by Nat Saenz, the Film Festival Chair for TRI-CITIES INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL, with a "fee-waivered" invitation to screen! Not only another Official Selection but also a nomination for 'Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Independent Film Award'. The work gone into exposing and promoting the film, via social media and other aspects like INTERVIEWS, as well as film festivals such as the most recent in TORONTO (where it was the opener) and it's World Premiere in BOSTON has resulted in something more to celebrate for the short film.

The festival doesn't occur until late 2014 in September, but there's even more being gifted to us through the festival as MARS-II is going on a little tour of screenings in America! AND... it's already begun! Just this past weekend of the 14th - 16th of February the film has been exhibited at the 23rd edition of RADCON in Pasco (WA) USA. The next screenings throughout the year before Tri-Cities are: SEATTLE CRYPTICON HORROR CONVENTION and DETCON1 - THE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION in Detroit! It's unusual we're going to be at a horror convention, with our science fiction film, but perhaps it's scarier/creepier than I realised! The Detroit convention looks really interesting and promotes all sorts of art/literature/educational stuff. More about both of them closer to the time. Thanks for reading & please SHARE/LIKE the blog if you'd like to help the film just that tiny bit more!

To reiterate... MARS-II is on tour!  PASCO  >  SEATTLE  >  DETROIT  >  TCIFF3

READ MORE ABOUT MARS-II AND ITS FESTIVAL HISTORY / AWARD NOMINATIONS > HERE

LASTLY, FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER FOR UPDATES & TO CONNECT @PAULEVERNON

My short documentary A FILM BY ABIGAIL screened on the 10th of January 2014 in the official selection for the 11th London Short FIlm Festival as a part of LO-BUDGET MAYHEM at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA, London). According to LSFF it was: "a programme that was specially selected by the LSFF team showcasing 29 out-there gems in just over 100 minutes" and it was a pleasure for me to be a part of. Being selected for a festival of this calibre was my goal throughout 2013, so this is a very satisfying start to the year and I thank the festival for screening the film. The idea to have five minute max, low-budget works entered for free through an alternative submission, with an aim to find hidden obscure shorts that may otherwise not receive exposure; was inspired and welcome. I'm infinitely grateful they had the foresight to try this for their sough-after festival and grateful for the help it will give me as a filmmaker and a director.

Fresh screenings could be on the horizon too. The BAFTA-recognised festival, priding itself on helping filmmakers and their work, asked to have a video link to the film for potential forwarding to other events/festivals/institutions for future programming. This is an incredibly exciting added bonus to an already excellent film festival that holds networking opportunities and workshops, as well as it's individually curated selections of solely British short films.

A FILM BY ABIGAIL is a short documentary about a child discussing an idea for a film she wishes to create. Recently it was a part of the official selection at the 9th LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL (screening at the prolific Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and was award nominated in the RNC Special Selection at the THIS IS ENGLAND - ENGLISH SHORT FILM FESTIVAL OF ROUEN. Read more about the film and myself in the interview/article FUTURE FILMMAKERS conducted by Leeds-List.

I can also partially announce that another screening is likely taking place overseas in Denmark! Watch this space for more info on this soon... Follow the progress of the rest of the London Short Film Festival (on until the 19th across the capital) on Twitter @LSFF and to keep up-to-date or chat, follow me @PaulEVernon