Contact: Tanya Tran, Marketing Manager E:

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2019 Contact: Tanya Tran, Marketing Manager E: tanya@grandcinema.com P: 253-572-6062 The Grand Cinema’s annual 253 Short Film Party Sponsored by Sound Credit Union, Tairis Marketing Group, 7 Seas Brewing, Bluebeard Coffee Roasters, en Rama, Europa Bistro, FabLab Tacoma, Hiball, Katie Downs, The News Tribune, Sammy's Pizza, Tacoma Arts Commission, and Wingman Brewers Tacoma, WA – An evening to celebrate local filmmakers in friendly competition: The Grand Cinema’s annual 253 Short Film Party <https://www.grandcinema.com/253-short-film-party2/> takes place Friday, May 10 at 5:30 PM at Urban Grace (902 Market Street) in downtown Tacoma. This lively event gathers community members from the South Sound to watch films from 31 local teams who were given 72 hours to create an original short film, each lasting no more than 253 seconds in length. In addition to the time challenge, the 253 Short Film Competition <https://www.grandcinema.com/253-short-film-competition/> also requires the use of four additional criteria. Last year’s filmmakers were tasked with finding a creative way to incorporate a dream, a sign, recycling, and the line of dialogue: “cut to the chase.” This year’s criteria will be announced April 25, which then commences the 72 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. Folks are encouraged to follow along using the hashtag #253Seconds. All completed short films will be presented to a four-person jury panel and screened at the 253 Short Film Party. Teams will compete for eight different awards and a number of prizes. Best Film and Audience Choice each win $500 plus entry into Northwest Film Forum’s Local Sightings Festival and a complimentary rental at The Grand Cinema. Audience members and filmmakers may enjoy the photo booth, the chance to take home door prizes like T-shirts, movie tickets, and restaurant gift certificates, and join as annual members of The Grand <https://www.grandcinema.com/gcblog/grand-spring-membership-discount-tote/>. Tickets to the 253 Short Film Party are on sale now. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 day of the event (Grand Members receive a $3 discount). Doors open at 5:30 PM and movies play at 7:00 PM. Guest are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to save a few bucks and ensure they’ll have a seat in what The Grand expects to be a full house. An additional opportunity for local filmmakers takes place the day after the party, May 11. The second ever 253 Film Summit <https://www.grandcinema.com/253-film-summit/> will be hosted at the University of Washington Tacoma campus. This collaboration between University of Washington Tacoma <http://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sias-home>, UWT Film Club <https://dawgden.tacoma.uw.edu/organization/filmclub>, and The Grand Cinema’s Film In Tacoma <http://www.grandcinema.com/film-in-tacoma/> is free-of-charge and for filmmakers, media professionals, and creative entrepreneurs who want to learn, connect, and create. The 253 Film Summit is a unique, extended opportunity for local filmmakers, emerging professionals, students, and those who participated in the 253 Film Competition to get to know one another, pitch ideas and projects, and plug in to the growing industry of media professionals and creatives in the South Sound. More information to come. The 253 Short Film Party is hosted by The Grand Cinema and held at Urban Grace (902 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402). Tickets are on sale now and are available at The Grand Cinema’s box office (606 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402), online at www.grandcinema.com, or by calling 253-593-4474. View photos from past events. <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TClWqpdL9rtRVnZ3I55I_mSszv2j29Pr?usp=sharing> Tanya Tran Marketing Manager they/she | 253.572.6062 The Grand Cinema <http://www.grandcinema.com/> 606 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402 <https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandTacoma/> <https://www.twitter.com/GrandCinema> <http://www.instagram.com/thegrandcinema>