BET J Names Six Finalists From Its First 'THE BEST SHORTS' Film Competition and Features Their Films on the Grown & Sexy Channel on March 4 And 18

WASHINGTON, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- BET J today announced the six finalists from the digital channel's first ever short film competition entitled, THE BEST SHORTS. This extraordinary competition gives up and coming filmmakers a shot at showcasing their cinema shorts on the "Cool Like That" channel, as well as a chance to claim the coveted title of winner of the $20,000 and $10,000 cash prizes.

THE BEST SHORTS film competition encourages the brightest emerging filmmakers to profile their short films that not only highlight the Black experience, but also provide the best in drama, comedy, horror and suspense. "BET J is the perfect vehicle to host a film competition that showcases an impressive mix of cutting edge short film that both entertain and socially impact viewers," stated Ralph Scott, executive producer of THE BEST SHORTS.

After receiving and carefully reviewing a vast number of short film submissions, the six finalists are: Aimee Dixon (Washington, DC) "Vivian;" Leigh Dana Jackson (Los Angeles, CA) "The First Three Lives Of Stuart Hornsley;" Stephanie Jones (Glendale, CA) "Gabrielle;" Tamika Miller (Los Angeles, CA) "Gift For The Living;" Jeff Shepherd (Kent, OH) "Squirrel Man;" Ya'Ke Smith (San Antonio, TX) "Hope's War." "We are proud to give an opportunity to propel the careers of these talented filmmakers as well as continue to provide BET J viewers with our ground-breaking and unique programming," stated Sean Joell Johnson, executive producer of THE BEST SHORTS.

BET J looked for short films that not only expressed a filmmakers' vision, but also evoked a myriad of emotions that resonate with culturally fresh storylines. A renowned panel of judges, all of whom are notable figures in the entertainment industry, reviewed the finalists' films, they are: NAACP Image Awards producer Vick Bullock; Lee Daniels Entertainment's senior vice president of production, Lisa Cortes; William Morris agent Charles King; executive producer Effie Brown; Black Critics Association's Wilson Morales and Gil Robertson; Code Black Entertainment's Tracey Edwards; and Monifa Suber.

BET J will announce two winners of the THE BEST SHORTS film competition on Friday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. from Harlem's Moca Club located on 2210 8th Avenue between 119th Street and Frederick Douglas Street. Both winners will be officially presented with a check for their winning short films; the second place winner will receive $10,000, and the first place winner will be the recipient of the coveted $20,000 prize. The six finalists' films will air on BET J throughout the month of March, and the winning films will be featured in THE BEST SHORTS first episode of the second season's competition launch on April 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The following is the programming schedule and descriptions for THE BEST SHORTS six finalists short films (all times are ET/PT):

-- GIFT FOR THE LIVING by Tamika Miller -- Inspired by O. Henry's short story "Gift of the Magi," this short film depicts a story of love, friendship, loss and sacrifice. "Gift for the Living" details a story about a grandmother and her granddaughter who, without the other's knowledge, sell their most treasured possession in order to buy the other a birthday gift. In the granddaughter's quest for the perfect gift, she discovers her grandmother's rich and unique history -- a history her grandmother never spoke of. Sunday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. -- VIVIAN by Aimee Dixon -- VIVIAN is a short film that details the once- a-month life experiences of Erin White, a focused law school graduate who is abruptly and unavoidably disturbed by the free-flowing Vivian, who undeniably leaves her mark -- period, end of story. Sunday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. -- HOPE'S WAR by Ya'Ke Smith -- After returning home from Iraq, a U.S. soldier struggles to adapt back to every day life, but brutal visions of war threaten to destroy him. Sunday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. -- SQUIRREL MAN by Jeffrey Lynn Shepherd -- A squirrel bite leads an elderly jazz musician to believe he is a super hero. These powers inspire him to fight crime in his neighborhood, which unexpectedly leads to the mending of his broken relationship with his son. This contemporary dramedy is a slice of life between fathers, sons and forgiveness. Sunday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. -- THE FIRST THREE LIVES OF STUART HORNSLEY by Leigh Dana Jackson -- Stuart Hornsley's time machine is finally up and running. His mission: to travel back in time and win the girl that got away, but tinkering with his past creates even more surprising situations in the present. Now Stuart must race to succeed at love before his life goes totally awry. Sunday, March 18 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 25 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. -- GABRIELLE by Stephanie L. Jones -- This poignant short film tells the compelling and moving story of an unborn soul, Gabrielle, who has to make the decision of whether or not to be born. On the day of her impending birth, Gabrielle's joy turns to anguish when she learns her life will be burdened with hardship and pain. Can she accept her supposed life for what it is? Will the love of her parents, Mara and Kevin, be strong enough to convince her to come into this world? Only Gabrielle knows the answer... Sunday, March 18 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.; Sunday, March 25 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. ABOUT BET J

BET J, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. , is a sophisticated digital network infused with music and original programming featuring a unique mix of Black music, culture and style. It is the premiere destination for a multicultural audience delivering R&B, soul, jazz and world music along with movies, riveting talk, concerts and in-depth interview shows. BET J keeps viewers talking with exciting original programs such as: COMMITTED: THE CHRISTIES, MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL, and the documentary series REAL LIFE DIVAS, and is currently viewed in over 26 million households and growing.