The festival is just around the corner and we need your help to help save a piece of history.

The festival is just around the corner and we can't be more excited, but as much as we would love to be basking in the pre festival glow, we have to take care of some unfortunate business first.

One of the most amazing things that we are able to offer our festival patrons and filmmakers is the amazing El Rey theater itself. If you are one of our past screening filmmakers, you know what it was like to see your film in this space, on that screen. Built in 1906, it is one of the oldest and largest single screen theaters left in California.

Much to our shock and dismay, we have recently learned that it is up for sale and will likely be gutted to make way for office space or a franchise pizza restaurant.

The sale won't affect this year's festival, but it will definitely affect not only next years Shortz! fest, but also all of the performance events scheduled beyond December of this year.

Here is where you can help. Please click on the links below to learn what you can do to help keep the El Rey a shining jewel of our community as well as a piece of living cinema history.

As news of the El Rey's fate become available we will do our best to update you all.

Thanks again for your continued support of our festival!