Tucson films vs the world?

An interesting challenge is for the ShortFest judges to balance the inclusion of Tucson and Arizona films with the best we're receiving from around the world. Other fests tend to artificially inject local films, simply because they are local (or for personal reasons), rather than because of their merit. We think that doesn't help a film community become more proficient -- so the Tucson and Arizona films that make it onto our final screening slate will be as good and better than those they compete with from the rest of the world! That said, I am delighted to say that Arizona films will dominate the fest, though in some unexpected ways. ;) More on that later. Back to the mountain of films...