This is the first official blog post for PictureStart WORDS, and I’m thrilled to get it off the ground.

As most of my friends know, I watch a ton of movies. Every day, all day long. Most people listen to music as they work, I listen to movies in the background. I play a lot of the same movies over and over, and when a favorite scene is about to come on, I stop and actually watch before returning to my work . Of course, every now and then I get taken in. And even though I’ve seen these movies a hundred times, they never get old.

Today I’m swamped with festival planning. Movies that I’ve played in the background so far today are: GIANT, CASABLANCA and THE DARJEELING LIMITED. As I write this, E.T. is playing. There’s something about movies that keeps me going throughout the day; that keeps me thinking; that keeps me informed and more importantly, keeps me inspired.

I’m pretty open minded when it comes to movies. I give everything a chance and I try to find something redeeming in everything I watch. It’s rare that I completely do not like something. I appreciate the effort that goes into creating and entertaining. Each year, for the NYC PictureStart Film Festival, about 250-300 short films are submitted for competition. In addition to the staff I have screening these short films, I personally watch every single film submitted, all the way through. I learn something from every film I watch. There’s always something in each movie produced that someone, somewhere can take from it.

At PictureStart, our mission is to showcase outstanding short films from emerging filmmakers from all over the world. I know I’m not alone in the inspiration I find from what I see on the big screen. I know this from the now thousands of short films that I’ve watched for this festival. In this blog, I will write about these movies and let you know how PictureStart is progressing in the time leading up the festival’s premiere on June 2, and throughout the year. I’ll also give you tidbits or back stories of classic films and our favorite stars. And as l live in one of the most beautiful cities to be caught on film, every now and then you will get some background info and pictures of films being shot in New York.

E.T.’s still playing in the background, and he, Elliot and friends are about to rise up off the ground on their bikes as they escape from the authorities. Have to go now before I find myself tearing up in front of the screen.

Hope you enjoy PictureStart WORDS as much as I’ll enjoy writing.

-Ben Arredondo, Executive Director, NYCPSFF