Our Festivals

In addition to welcoming touring film festivals from all over the world, Aurora Picture Show organizes three festivals each year, including Extremely Shorts Festival, Slant: Bold Asian American Images and Media Archeology.

Extremely Shorts Festival
Started in 1998, the Extremely Shorts Festival is a juried competition of adventurous three-minute or shorter films and videos from a global constituency of moviemakers, artists, culture jammers, students, moms, bus boys, and anyone with a camera and a vision. A selection of these mini-masterpieces is selected each year by a different juror (past jurors have included Ed Halter, Bill Arning, among others). Audience Choice cash awards are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The short format of the festival encourages innovative approaches to moviemaking in a range of genres, including narrative, art, experimental, documentary, and animation. More Info

Slant: Bold Asian American Images
Started in 2000, Slant: Bold Asian American Images short film festival is curated by Melissa Hung, editor in chief of Hyphen magazine.  Slant showcases an eclectic mix of the best short films made by aspiring, emerging and mid-career Asian American artists.  The festival features all genres including narrative, experimental, documentary, and animation. Works submitted typically reflect personal and cultural issues of Asian Americans, which encourage reflection, discussion and connections amongst artists and audience.  Slant receives submissions from all over the United States and Canada.  In presenting this festival, Aurora participates in exploring the power of moving image in crafting identity and community.  More Info

Media Archeology
Media Archeology is Aurora Picture Show’s annual multimedia festival that features artists who incorporate audio/visual technology with live performance. Past performers include Joshua Light Show, Shana Moulton, Tristan Perich, among others.