New Hampshire-made short THE POND to premiere at Palm Springs International ShortFest

[Received this release from Writer/Director Dan Hannon.]

World Premiere of Narrative Short THE POND at the Palm Springs International ShortFest

THE POND, a dramatic short film, has been invited to screen at the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival & Film Market. The film will show on Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 pm in the Camelot Theatres as part of the "Beginnings and Endings" program, and then again on Friday, June 25 at 6:30 pm in the same venue as part of the "Shooting Stars" program. These screenings will mark the film's World Premiere.

Now in its 16th year, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is renowned worldwide for the extraordinary community of filmmakers it attracts, and for the quality and scope of its programming. Designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Award® qualifying Festival and accredited by the International Short Film Conference, the Palm Springs International ShortFest and its Short Film Market, are the largest and most prominent short film showcase in North America.

"It's an unbelievable honor to have the opportunity to bring THE POND to the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Having just recently finished the film, I couldn't imagine a better place to reveal it to audiences for the first time than the center of the short film world," said filmmaker Dan Hannon.

THE POND is a moving and surprising story about a young woman who makes a discovery for which no one could ever be prepared. The film was shot entirely in the picturesque state of New Hampshire and represents the directorial debut of writer Dan Hannon, who also penned the original screenplay.

"At the core of this little movie is a grand notion that the universe is accomplishing amazing things right under our noses," said Hannon. "The film's conclusion is much more of a leaping off point than it is an ending, and will hopefully leave the audience wondering what's going to happen next," he added.

Joining the writer/director are the recognizable on-screen talents of Alicia Witt, currently on NBC's "Friday Night Lights," David Morse, most recently seen in 2010 Academy Award® Best Picture THE HURT LOCKER, and Todd Rotondi, who received recognition as Jack Kerouac in 2010 Sundance Film Festival hit HOWL. The powerful story also attracted off-screen talents including producer Francine DiChiara, cinematographer Jendra Jarnagin and composer Justin R. Durban.

The 2010 Palm Springs International ShortFest takes place June 22-28 in Palm Springs, CA. The complete schedule will release on June 13 and tickets go on sale June 15. To learn more about the festival, visit www.psfilmfest.org.

For more information about THE POND, and to view a teaser of the film, visit www.thepondmovie.com.