Hollywood’s finest support Lexus short films programme

Some of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors and creatives have been revealed as movie mentors who are helping guide the directors contributing to the 2014 Lexus Short Films programme.

The partnership between Lexus and The Weinstein Company this year drew active support from leading figures in the movie community, including Katie Holmes (The Giver, Wonder Boys, Dawson’s Creek), directors Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and the upcoming Tulip fever), Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn, upcoming Woman in Gold), Antoine Fuqua (Brooklyn’s Finest, Training Day, upcomingSouthpaw) and Phillip Noyce (The Giver, The Quiet American).

They have been supporting rising film-makers Jon Goldman and Satsuki Okawa (working with script writer Ken Ochai), in their work to produce short films interpreting Lexus’s Life is Amazing brand theme. The films shot for this year’s programme, Market Hour and Operation Barn Owl, were premiered at the Shot Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo, on 29 May and will be screened in Los Angeles on 30 July and New York on 6 August.

Philip Noyce said: “It’s an honour to have been approached by The Weinstein Company and Lexus International to participate in such an innovative and important programme. What they are doing with the next generation of filmmakers will have a significant impact in the world of cinema. I’m truly excited for audiences to see what these talented young directors are creating.”

The famous mentors will also take part in a series of featurettes about the mentoring process, showing them meeting the film-makers and offering guidance and support. These videos will also explore the art, evolution and importance of the short film medium and the growing global appetite for the format. The featurettes will be released in the lead-up to the films’ theatrical release in Los Angeles and their worldwide on-line release in October.

Both films will play at numerous festivals around the world and will be a ttached to major Weinstein Company releases such as The Giver. Ahead of their on-line release, more details about their progress and screening schedule can be found at www.lexusshortfilms.com.

For further information, please contact one of the following:

Nik Pearson on 01737 367264 or by e-mail at nik.pearson@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Richard Seymour on 01737 367272 or by e-mail at richard.seymour@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Erica Haddon on 01737 367308 or by e-mail at erica.haddon@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Scott Brownlee on 01737 367266 or by e-mail at scott.brownlee@tgb.toyota.co.uk