Lexus and The Weinstein Company Re-team to Produce The Second Lexus Short Film Series with World Premieres in Los Angeles and New York

NEW YORK, July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus and The Weinstein Company have once again come together in the spirit of innovation to produce two new short films for their second annual "Life is Amazing" Lexus Short Films series. Two rising filmmakers (Jon Goldman, Satsuki Okawa with script writer Ken Ochiai) are being mentored by acclaimed members of the film community including actress Katie Holmes (The Giver, Wonder Boys) and directors Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, upcoming Tulip Fever), Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn, upcoming Woman in Gold), Antoine Fuqua (Brooklyn's Finest, Training Day, upcoming Southpaw), and Phillip Noyce (The Giver, The Quiet American).

The group will also film featurettes that highlight the mentoring process as each talent meets with the up-and-coming directors and offers guidance and support. The pieces will also focus on the art of the short film, the evolution of the medium and its importance, and the growing global appetite for the format. The featurettes will be released leading up to the films' theatrical run in Los Angeles and the worldwide release in October.

Said Noyce, "It's an honor to have been approached by The Weinstein Company and Lexus International to participate in such an innovative and important program. What they are doing with the next generation of filmmakers will have a significant impact in the world of cinema. I'm truly excited for audiences to see what these talented, young directors are creating."

To download a video of Phillip Noyce mentoring directors Jon Goldman and Satsuki Okawa, please visit: https://www.dropbox.com/s/53kzkaxf9yg5c4j/LEXUS%20MENTOR%20PHIL%20FINAL%20H264.mov

The first presentation of the shorts, Market Hours and Operation Barn Owl, took place at the Short Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo on May 29^th. As part of the marketing campaign, both films will play at numerous festivals around the world including the Los Angeles Shorts Festival, The Rhode Island Film Festival, and The Portland Film Festival. They will also be attached to major Weinstein Company releases such as The Giver.

World premieres will take place July 30^th in Los Angeles and August 6^th in New York.  Noyce will show footage from his new upcoming Weinstein Company film The Giver, starring Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard, Katie Holmes, and Taylor Swift at the New York event.

TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein about the partnership, "We launched the Lexus Short Films Series in 2013 with incredible, young filmmakers watching them develop their stories, skill and talent culminating into a special screening during the Cannes Film Festival.  We're honored to be working with Lexus again for a second year to find the next great, innovative storytellers to bring their own fresh take to the short film format."

Mark Templin (Executive Vice President of Lexus International) added, "It's an honor to continue our shared inspiration to make an impact on the craftsmanship of filmmaking with The Weinstein Company. We're proud to shine a light on the passion, innovation and artistry that guides this year's rising filmmakers as they open our eyes to their interpretation of 'Life is Amazing'."

The Lexus Short Films series will premiere online in October this year.  In the meantime, the films' progress and film festival schedule can be followed at www.lexusshortfilms.com.

Why Lexus Chose to Do Lexus Short Films

In conjunction with product innovations, Lexus aims to elevate artistry and bring fundamental enjoyment through the creation of luxurious spaces, moments and feelings. One such step is supporting young creators with fresh ideas through the "Life is Amazing" Lexus Short Film Series with The Weinstein Company.

Lexus Short Films 2014

(1)   Market Hours
Randall spends his days imagining the vibrant inner lives of various vendors at the multicultural urban market where he works; none more so than Angela, an angel with her own pastry shop. But Randall's inattention to his work has led to a string of thefts and soon threatens to cost him his job. A chance encounter with a beautiful starlet and her lapdog provides Randall not only an opportunity to break the ice with Angela, but a chance to prove his worth to everyone at the market - including himself.

Writer/Director
Jon Goldman
Jon is a graduate of Stanford University with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing. His short film "Diplomacy," a wry take on the power of interpreters in top-level negotiations between the United States and Iran, played over two dozen film festivals worldwide including Abu Dhabi, South by Southwest and Tokyo Short Shorts, winning jury and audience awards in Paris, Aspen, New York, Switzerland and Mexico. He acts not only as director but also as script writer in Europe and America.

(2)   Operation Barn Owl
Ellen and her group of friends band together to help her best friend Jonah create a picturesque proposal for his girlfriend.  Ellen, however, must overcome her feelings for Jonah and any past promises they made to each other for the proposal to go as planned

Director
Satsuki Okawa
Born in Tokyo, Satsuki earned her BA from Nihon University College of Arts and went on to graduate with an MFA from Columbia University in New York. Upon her graduation from Columbia, she directed several short films including "Koyuki's Wandering Football", which was commissioned for the Japanese Professional Football League as the J-league's 20 year anniversary project. Last year's Yubari favorite "Little Kyota Neon Hood" went on to gain acclaim on the international film festival circuit. The film not only won numerous awards domestically, but internationally.

Co-writer
Ken Ochiai
Ken he left his hometown of Tokyo after graduating from senior high school and went to USA. Ochiai graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2006 with a BA in production. In 2008, he received his MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory in directing. To date, Ochiai has made more than 30 short films, commercials, and music videos including "Half Kenneth" which won the Jury Prize from the Directors Guild of America; "Frog In The Well" which won the Crystal Award at the Heartland Film Festival. He received the Young Alumni Award from the USC in recognition of his achievements in filmmaking. Ochiai has directed three feature films, including "Tiger Mask" will be released in the fall 2013 in several Asian countries. The film is based on a Japanese legendary comic book series and produced by Toshiaki Nakazawa, producer from an Oscar-winning film "Departures."

About Lexus
Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service. Lexus is the hybrid leader among luxury brands, offering hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and premier luxury. The evolution of Lexus is reflected in the progressive designs of its new vehicles. The signature spindle grille, dynamic light treatments and sculptured lines create a distinctive look of luxury for Lexus.

About The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. During Harvey and Bob's tenure at Miramax and The Weinstein Company, they have received 348 Oscar nominations and won 82 Academy Awards.

Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; 1408; I'M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH'S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; BULLY; THE INTOUCHABLES; LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; DJANGO UNCHAINED; QUARTET; ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH; DARK SKIES; THE SAPPHIRES; SCARY MOVIE 5; KON-TIKI; UNFINISHED SONG; FRUITVALE STATION; LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER; THE GRANDMASTER; SALINGER; 12-12-12; PHILOMENA; MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM; AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY; VAMPIRE ACADEMY and THE RAILWAY MAN. Upcoming releases include THE IMMIGRANT; YVES SAINT LAURENT; BEGIN AGAIN; THE GIVER; FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR; UNDERDOGS; TRACKS; ST. VINCENT and PADDINGTON.

TWC also boasts an active television production division led by former Miramax Films Co-President of Production Meryl Poster. TWC garnered nine Emmy nominations in 2013. The Weinstein Company Television produces the reality powerhouse Project Runway, now in its 12th season on Lifetime; with its spin-off series Project Accessory and the critically-acclaimed Project Runway All Stars, hosted by Alyssa Milano. TWC recently launched Million Dollar Shoppers and completed Supermarket Superstar hosted by Stacy Keibler for Lifetime as well as Rodeo Girls for A&E. TWC is currently in production on Mob Wives Season 4 for VH1 and Welcome To Myrtle Manor Season 2 for TLC.  Announced scripted projects in development include John Fusco's historical action-adventure epic Marco Polo and an adaptation of Daniel Stashower's bestselling Civil War-era spy thriller The Hour Of Peril. TWC also developed Amy Sherman Palladino's The Nanny Diaries for ABC and produced the award-winning HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, directed by Anthony Minghella.

Contact: Lauren Felsenstein
212-774-6162
[email protected]

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/LEXUS.mp4

SOURCE The Weinstein Company