PBS Short Film Festival 2024
Louisiana Public Broadcasting is proud to announce our entry into The PBS Short Film Festival 2024
The Festival Returns to All PBS Digital Platforms July 15-26, 2024
For the twelfth straight year, Louisiana Public Broadcasting is a participating station in the PBS Short Film Festival, with LPB sponsoring an independent film in this national online event. The festival returns on July 15 to online PBS platforms and features 25 short-form independent film submissions from PBS member stations and public media partners. The main hub for the PBS Short Film Festival can be found at pbs.org/filmfestival, with additional information available at lpb.org/filmfest.
Among those featured in this year’s festival are independent filmmakers Gray Fagan and Bailey Wax, both of whom have Louisiana roots. The PBS Short Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent films, and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that inspires and engages. The 2024 festival carries the tagline “Stories in Bloom” to highlight the impact of powerful storytelling.
“Louisiana is known internationally for its food and music. Today, our filmmakers are also increasingly gaining a reputation for producing thought-provoking and quality content,” said Jason Viso, LPB’s Director of Programming. “We are proud to support these filmmakers and help them bring their stories to a larger audience.”
More About the Festival
Beginning July 15, the PBS Short Film Festival will be available at pbs.org/filmfestival and other PBS digital platforms. All 25 participating films will be available to stream on YouTube and Facebook. Viewers are encouraged to watch these amazing films via PBS platforms and learn more about the filmmakers at lpb.org/filmfest. As in previous years, a distinguished panel of eight jury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the “Juried Prize.”
The PBS Short Film Festival has become a popular annual online event, generating more than six million streams over the course of the festival’s history. The festival won a 2022 Webby Award for Best Festival.
For updates on the festival, visit LPB Facebook and follow #PBSFilmFest on Twitter.
LPB’s 2024 Festival Entry
The Ballad of Rose Mae
Set in 1918, this short musical drama follows a father who finds himself at the funeral of his child, Rose Mae, who is suspected of having fallen pretty to a deadly, ongoing plague. Through twists and turns, we learn the truth behind her demise. The film ultimately tackles the question: will love find a way?
The Filmmakers: Gray Fagan & Bailey Wax
Gray Fagan is a Louisiana native, born and raised in Baton Rouge. His love for storytelling led him to LSU where he studied film for two years before transferring to Chapman University in California where he graduated with a BFA in Film Production. Since then, he has amassed over 5M followers across social platforms (@graysworld) with his original comedy and entertaining digital content. Now, in between live comedy performances and acting, Gray is focusing on writing and directing, gearing up to produce his debut feature film this summer.
Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in a family of actors and theatre directors, Bailey Wax’s passion for the dramatic arts runs deep. Since graduating with a degree in creative writing from Louisiana State University she has spent her time pursuing her filmmaking dreams while also sharing her knowledge, teaching film to Louisiana high-school students. Collaborating with her creative partner, Gray Fagan, Bailey often shuttles between Louisiana and Los Angeles, working on a wide range of exciting projects. Along with Gray, she is excited to shoot their debut feature film this summer.