Litlhorn, LLC

PRESS RELEASE

Twenty-five Short Filmmakers from Around the World Make a Feature Film.

 May 26, 2010 -Sao Paulo, Brazil  

On May 29, 2010, the first of twenty-five filmmakers involved in an international

collaborative film project will start principal photography in Sao Paulo.  Rafael

Yoshida answered an online ad seeking independent filmmakers to "make a

small part of a feature film in your own city."  Last weekend Yoshida shot his

segment in a small country village in Southern Brazil - a segment he conceived

and wrote for the CollabFeature project. 

Twenty-five filmmakers in nineteen cities, fourteen countries and five continents

used email, instant messaging and a special web application to communicate,

plan and brainstorm ideas.  The group came up with an outline for an episodic

feature about a lost backpack that gets passed from person to person and

country to country.  Each wrote a screenplay for a four minute segment set in his

or her locale.

 "This isn't just another anthology film or a contest with an assignment.  This is

true collaboration," said project co-founder, Marty Shea - a filmmaker from the

US.  Each segment connects to the other episodes in an interesting way.  When

geography permits, some segments share actors.  In others, characters

communicate by telephone, mail and via the Internet.  The directors were

encouraged to craft segments that express their  individuality and their own diverse cultures.   "We wanted a clashing of styles and perspectives. We have over a dozen languages.  It makes for a very exciting script." 

 A week after Yoshida's segment wrapped, the next shoot commences in Hong

Kong, followed by Berlin and Mumbai.  The remaining segments will shoot

throughout the summer of 2010.  The edited segments will be sent to Detroit,

Michigan where they will be compiled into a single feature.  The finished film

(working title "The Lost Backpack") will then try its fortune on the film festival

circuit.

Shea and longtime partner Ian Bonner came up with the idea for the project after

completing several award-winning short films.  "Making shorts has been a great

experience for me," said Shea. "When your shoot only lasts a weekend it's easy

to pull favors, get equipment discounts and the like.  When working on

independent features, it can be difficult to pull together all the resources.  I

figured there must be other people who feel the same.  Why not join forces?"

About CollabFeature

CollabFeature was started by filmmakers Marty Shea and Ian Bonner in Detroit,

Michigan, USA to facilitate collaborative projects between international

filmmakers.  The pair has written and directed seven short films that have

screened and won awards at dozens of film festivals internationally.  

Website:  http://www.collabfeature.com.  

Contact:   

Marty Shea, Project Director

info@collabfeature.com

About Rafael Yoshida

Rafael Yoshida is a 23-year-old Brazilian director.  He graduated in radio and

television.  He started his career as a location manager, has been a producer

and editor and currently works as a 1st assistant director for Gatacine

Productions.  After CollabFeature, he will be moving to New York City to pursue

directing.  Rafael has directed two short films, the Internet series, A.li.bi. as well

as sporting events.