September 1 , 2003

“THE LEAST OF THESE” GOES HOLLYWOOD...
AND PALM SPRINGS...AND SAN DIEGO...
Strong coffee, greasy spoons, and America’s leftovers
headed west for So-Cal premieres

Los Angeles International Short Film Festival: www.lashortsfest.com
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films: www.psfilmfest.org
San Diego Film Festival: www.sdff.org
Filmmaker Contact: Rik Swartzwelder/863-602-5796, www.oldfashionedpictures.com
Press Photos for Download: www.oldfashionedpictures.com/the_least_of_these.html

Winner of 25 film festival awards. Over 50 “official selections.” Rik Swartzwelder’s beautiful and haunting 35mm short, The Least of These, is topping off its incredible year-long festival run with screenings at three of the most prestigious film festivals in Southern California—all in the same week! Between September 16-22, 2003, The Least of These will screen a total of four times alongside some of the best short films from around the world. Writer-Director Swartzwelder will be in attendance at all of these upcoming screenings of The Least of These at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, and the San Diego Film Festival. Both the L.A. and Palm Springs fests are Oscar-qualifying for winning films.

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Thursday, September 18, 2003. 10:00 p.m. The Least of These will screen along with other selected shorts at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival (Program #31, Variety Pack #2). Screening location is the Arclight Cinemas, 6360 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (between Cahuenga & Vine St.).

Friday, September 19, 2003. 2:00 p.m. The Least of These will screen in the “Got Drama?” program at the San Diego Film Festival. Screening location is the Aubergine, 500 Fourth Avenue, San Diego.

Saturday, September 20, 2003. 11:30 a.m. The Least of These will screen as part of the “United We Stand” program at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. All of the films in this unique, provoking selection—including works from Iran, Venezuela, Canada, and the U.S.—focus specifically on community and the importance of human connection and interaction. Screening location is the Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs.

Sunday, September 21, 2003. 2:00 p.m. The Least of These will have a repeat performance along with the rest of the “Got Drama?” program at the San Diego Film Festival. Screening location will again be the Aubergine, 500 Fourth Avenue, San Diego.

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Based on a true story by internationally known speaker and sociologist Tony Campolo, The Least of These was filmed at the historic Tastee Diner near Baltimore, Maryland. The atmospheric, character-driven film tells the story of how the fading, isolated life of a diner owner and the dull routine of his late night crowd are forever changed by the unusual proposition of a stranger.

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A graduate of The Florida State University’s Graduate Motion Picture Conservatory, Rik Swartzwelder is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has screened at over 100 film festivals, internationally, and garnered over 40 major awards—including the “Student Emmy” for his highly acclaimed master’s thesis film, Paul McCall, and the Crystal Heart Award from the Heartland Film Festival for his multiple award-winning 35mm short, The Least of These. Rik has also sold two feature scripts, one treatment, and is currently prepping to direct his first feature.

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