DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — "Held in Sway," winner of the 2007 Cincinnati 48 Hour Film Project, has been selected to screen at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes is regarded as one of the most influential and prestigious film festivals, along with Venice and Berlin. This year's event will be held May 14-25 in the French Riviera resort town of Cannes, France.

"Held in Sway" was produced by Mirepoix Pictures, a team comprised of Wright State University alumni Amy Cunningham, Mike Dittiacur, John Mays and Cincinnati filmmaker Russ Faust.

"It's pretty exciting," Mays said. "It's great validation for making short films."

"Held in Sway" was produced in one weekend for the Cincinnati 48 Hour Film Project, where it won best movie, directing, videography and musical score honors. It is one of 10 short films from the 48 Hour Film Project to be shown at Cannes.

"Held in Sway" was screened on Sept. 14, 2007, at the Neon theater in Dayton. It can be viewed online at YouTube.com.

The filmmakers are attempting to raise the money to travel to France to attend the festival. They are organizing a benefit concert and raffle event to be held in late April.

Tax deductible donations may be made to the Yellow Springs Arts Council, P.O. Box 459, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Please write Mirepoix Pictures in the memo line.

For more information or to donate a prize item, contact Mirepoix Pictures at mirepoixpix@yahoo.com or call John Mays at (937) 477-7312.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.