Every filmmaker has to start somewhere, and often times it begins with a short film. After all, not many independent artists have the money to make a full feature, and a short film allows them to cut their teeth while showing off their potential.

To help get more of these short films seen by audiences, this weekend is the San Jose International Short Film Festival. While they’re showing a lot of cool shorts that are worth checking out, the reason I’m mentioning the festival is I’ll be on hand Saturday night to moderate a Q&A with filmmaker James Gunn. The Guardians of the Galaxy and Slither writer/director will be in attendance to pick the winner of the James Gunn Independent Filmmaker Award and to receive the festival's Visionary Award for his contribution and furtherance of the cinematic arts.

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via Getty Images

The festival says:

The honor recognizes Gunn's unwavering integrity throughout his work in independent and blockbuster features, his ability to navigate the divide between massive-budget studio epics and smaller independent films is no small feat, but it is one that Gunn manages to accomplish without ever jeopardizing the integrity of his films.

In addition to picking the winner this year, Gunn will be selecting the winner for the next three festivals. He said:

“I owe my life and my artistic career to growing up in the independent film world. Independent film opportunities are harder and harder to come by these days and I hope that this award helps to encourage unique creative voices.” ​

Not only will the winner this year receive a cool award, they’ll also receive a grant of $2,500 toward the production of their next project.

"This is an amazing time for independent filmmakers," said Sinohui Hinojosa, Festival Co-founder/Artistic Director, "...and having James Gunn support our mission to deliver World Class Short Films, bolsters our commitment to filmmakers everywhere. We are honored to present the next generation of filmmakers, creative artists and performers, recognized for excellence, with the support of a World Class writer/director like James Gunn."

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Image via Marvel Studios

So if you live in the San Jose area, are a fan of James Gunn, and are free Saturday night, you might want to click this link (scroll down to "A Conversation with Our Guest of Honor") pretty fast. Tickets are still available for the Q&A and I hope to see some of you there!

Here are some more details and links from the festival:

  • James will announce the winner of the inaugural James Gunn Independent Filmmaker Award at the festival's Gala on Saturday night at the Glasshouse in Downtown San Jose. Tickets are available for early bird purchase at only $25.
  • Tickets for the Q&A and "Conversation with James Gunn" can be purchased on the festival website here: http://www.sjsff.com/ticket-page.html  Navigate down to the event "A Conversation with Our Guest of Honor"
  • For Gala tickets, go here: http://www.sjsff.com/gala--guest-of-honor.html
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Image via Marvel
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Image via Getty
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Image via Getty