3 KEYS WINS TWO AWARDS AT SHORTZ! FILM FESTIVAL

August 13, 2018 Josh Funk

(Chico, CA, August 12th 2018) Director and Animator Josh Funk’s short film 3 Keys has won 2nd Place: Judges Choice and Best Animation: Audience Choice at this year’s Shortz! Film Festival in Chico, CA.

3 KEYS is a fantasy/thriller set in the world of one woman's nightmares. In the office of a psychiatrist (Robert Donnelly), a patient (Brigette Funk) explains her reoccurring nightmares that always begin with a mysterious door and three different skeleton keys that unlock it. Accompanied by stop-motion puppets, marionettes, and miniatures, each nightmare is packed with practical effects.

JOSH FUNK WINS BEST BRIEF FILM: JUDGES CHOICE AT SHORTZ! FILM FESTIVAL WITH ‘DIGGIN’ ON’

September 19, 2016 Josh Funk

On September 18th, Film Director and Animator Josh Funk won Best Brief Film: Judges Choice at Shortz! Film Festival. The award was given for Funk’s vibrant stop-motion music video ‘Diggin’ On’ created for the band Michelin Embers.

‘Diggin’ On’ features stop-motion puppets, 3D printed and found objects, as well as live-footage of the band playing on a miniature drive-in movie screen. The music video was a collaboration between Funk, the band, and inspired by the album artwork of artist Rickie Barnett.

“This award was very unexpected and I’m thrilled to be a part of this years Shortz! Film Festival. I’m even more excited for the opportunity to share the music of Michelin Embers,” said Funk.

The Shortz! Film Festival is an annual international short film festival, which showcases the best and brightest short films from around the globe, with many traveling to see their films at the historic El Rey Theatre in downtown Chico each year.

Watch the video now!

Short film festival headlines Chico's El Rey Theater →

September 17, 2015 Josh Funk

By Jerry Olenyn, jolenyn@krcrtv.com

Sixty short films will be showcased at the El Rey Theater in Chico this weekend.

The filmmakers come from all parts of the world, including a few in the Northstate, like Chico's Josh Funk whose 12-minute film "The Spaceman" took two years to complete.

"In my case, it was all the special effects and the stop-motion animation that I did," said Funk. "It took 24 pictures for every second of film that you see whenever there's a puppet involved."

Funk was a cell phone sales representative for eight years before focusing on film making. His story is like many of the other filmmakers, who will show off their efforts this weekend, hoping to one day direct feature films like some of Hollywood's greatest auteurs.

One of the festivals organizers said film lovers will see a large quantity and quality of films over the next three days.

"There are many good films," said Renee Boyd. "There's action, comedy, drama, documentary and animation."

"There are so many beautiful films with good stories," she said.

Tickets are $10 per day or $20 for a three day pass. For more information about the film festival, click here.