The Passage, from Super Deluxe, Wins at the LA Film Festival, Making It a Six-Time Festival Winner

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The LA Film Festival has awarded The Passage, Super Deluxe's original modern-day silent comedy, with the top prize in the Short Fiction category. Super Deluxe planned release for the Oscar-qualified film begins November 2, 2018 with limited engagements.

The Passage is from creator and star Philip Burgers, the theatrically-trained clown also known as Dr. Brown, director Kitao Sakurai and Abso Lutely Productions. 

Super Deluxe's original short film The Passage won Best Short Fiction at the LA Film Festival in Los Angeles on Friday.


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It is the sixth festival win for the modern-day silent comedy. The Passage has previously won Best Picture in the Shorts with Legs category at Fantastic Fest, the Grand Jury Prize at the Nashville Film Festival, Best Late-Night at SeriesFest, Best Director for Comedy at the New York Television Festival, and Best Comedy at Aspen Shortsfest, making it an Oscar-qualifying live action short film.

The Passage follows Phil, played by Philip Burgers, a sweetly mysterious and childlike wanderer, as he adventures across a surreal multicultural landscape in order to escape the clutches of two bumbling pursuers – all without uttering a single word. Through a comedic lens and a series of misadventures, The Passage deals with themes of longing for human connection, immigration, and the tragedy of never being able to find peace. 


"Philip Burgers is one of a kind. He's a true artist whose physical comedy not only reminds us of brilliant performers from another era, but also conveys genuine emotion. Making projects like this is what Super Deluxe was founded to do," says Wolfgang Hammer, president of Super Deluxe.

In its review of The Passage,Nerdist describes the short as "an alluring showcase of humane comedic talent that pushes the boundary of what we laugh at."

The Hollywood Reporter praises Burgers' "physical comedy chops" and IndieWire writes that "The Passage stands out because it's so very different from anything else out there, but it's still incredibly relatable, heartfelt, and very, very funny."

Filmmaker Magazine calls it "gripping" and The Aspen Times says it's a "tour de force of visual storytelling."

The Passage will screen at the Savannah Film Festival on October 27-November 3, 2018. Super Deluxe will release The Passage on November 2 on its multi-platform channels. 

WEBSITE:
http://thepassage.superdeluxe.com/

 

ABOUT THE LA FILM FESTIVAL
The LA Film Festival is a key part of the exhibition arm of the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent. Showcasing new American and international cinema that embraces diversity, innovation and unique perspectives, the Festival produces one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals and award-winning talent from Los Angeles and around the world. Presenting Media Sponsor is Los Angeles Times. Official Host Venue is ArcLight Cinemas. Platinum Sponsors are American Airlines, EFILM | Deluxe, HBO and TikTok. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.


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Official Screening Partner is Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Festival Supporters are Directors Guild of America, eTech Rentals, Kona Productions, TREETI and Visit Seattle. Festival Affiliates are 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion, ATK Audiotek, Konsonant Music, SAGindie and Writers Guild of America West.  
 
ABOUT ABSO LUTELY PRODUCTIONS
Abso Lutely Productions was founded in 2007 by comedians Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim and producer Dave Kneebone. It began as a means of producing the surreal sketch comedy show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! for Adult Swim, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year with the release of the 3rd season of Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories. By prioritizing the amplification of fresh and unconventional comedic voices, Abso Lutely has since become a destination for ideas that push the boundaries of traditional comedy. It produces shows for major networks including IFC, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, and Netflix, as well as the reborn Super Deluxe, and is known for spotlighting up-and-coming talents such as Nathan Fielder (Nathan For You), Eric Andre (The Eric Andre Show), and Kate Berlant and John Early, plus comedy veterans Scott Aukerman, Bob Odenkirk, and David Cross, to name a few.
 
ABOUT SUPER DELUXE
Super Deluxe is a premium, multi-platform entertainment company with the most engaging and fastest-growing channels targeted at creative youth. Known for developing culturally-relevant characters and story formats that resonate with loyal fan bases, the company produces an ecosystem of content, from scripted and unscripted TV shows to Webby Award-winning short-form videos and social media, interactive live programming, creative tech products, and branded campaigns. In 2018, Super Deluxe will have seven TV shows on Netflix, TBS, Facebook, AMC's Sundance Now, and more. The Los Angeles Times has described the company as shaping the future of television and Fast Company has named it one of Hollywood's 10 Most Innovative Companies.