Five top shorts make it a Quicky night

Quicky 2009 is the name a film festival, specifically a festival of shorts that’s sponsored by the Electronic Media, Theatre and Film Department at Eastern Washington University . Some 17 films were included in this year’s version of the event, which was held tonight at the Magic Lantern Theatre.

I and my wife, Mary Pat Treuthart , were asked to pick the top five entries, and it was no easy task. Not only was the level of talent high but the range of subject matter and styles was vast.

But here were our choices:

Second honorable mention: “Little Monkey on the Roam,” a clever little music video starring musician/filmmaker Corey Jenkins and a stuffed monkey.

First honorable mention: “We,” another music video, this one Adam Harum’s bittersweet look at a past relationship as it passes by in one man’s elevator fantasy.

Third place: “Morning on Maple Street,” Adam Boyd’s smoothly made tale of neighborhood that, on this particular morning, ends up being the epitome of synchronicity.

Second place: “James Pants: Curry King,” the maestro James Pants cooks up a batch of chicken tika masala by blending subtle irony with actual chefly information – all the vision of director Aaron Fink.

First place: “And I Feel Fine,” a darkly comic look at the final five hours of existence as a young guy fights an apathetic world to give his sister a decent burial. Taylor Adams opts for just the right stylistic feel: black and white.

EWU has some pretty talented filmmakers.

Below: Corey Jenkins’ music video “Little Monkey on the Roam.” If you watch this and don’t smile at least once, check your pulse.