24th Palm Springs International Shortfest – On-Sale June 13

ShortFest Films Plumb the Depths of the Human Experience, Imagination and Spirit

All of the film festivals in Palm Springs are interesting and great fun. But this one tends to be the most unconventional and interesting of all the international film festivals.

For one week in Palm Springs, filmmakers and their fans get to experience the diversity and richness of humanity as captured on film by extraordinary artists from around the globe. The depths of the human experience and mind, its connection to other people, the planet and all living things is explored and brought to life on the screen, in the most creative and original ways imaginable.

At ShortFest a rich assortment of films exposes us to stories and experiences that tap into our deepest human emotions—joy, humor, excitement, lust, fear, angst, are there. The beauty of ShortFest is that we each get to choose, what rabbit hole we want to go down.

Opening Night’s Good Vibrations Offers Filmmakers and Fans, an Outstanding Collection of Feel-Good Films. According to this year’s schedule of events and films, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the most eclectic and revealing of all.

If you are considering going, and you most definitely should, you will want to start your review of the week’s schedule and be prepared to purchase your tickets when On Sale June 13.

ShortFest is held at the former Camelot Theatres, now called Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs. (760) 325-6565

Opening Night – Good Vibrations

June 19 is the official launch of ShortFest 2018! The Good Vibrations theme features a collection of feel-good films to kick off the festival. The screening will be at the Camelot Theatres, followed by a celebration at LULU California Bistro. Feel the vibrations…it’s going to be a sweet sensation.

Opening Night Short Films

Bilby

In the deadly desert of Australia, a lonesome Bilby finds himself tied to a helpless baby bird.

Cat Days

Jiro, a little boy, feels sick. His father takes him to the doctor. She diagnoses a harmless condition, but it shakes the core of the boy’s identity.

Hair Wolf

In a black hair salon in gentrifying Brooklyn, the local residents fend off a strange new monster: white women intent on sucking the lifeblood from black culture.

Pink Trailer

Best friends Lucy and Julie are spending their summer hiding from a terrorizing neighbor until Lucy runs out of her anti-depressants, and they’re forced to fight for their lives.

Wave

A man wakes up from a coma speaking a fully formed but unrecognizable language, baffling linguistics experts from around the globe.

With Thelma

When an Icelandic volcano strands young Thelma’s parents overseas, Jean and Vincent are called into urgent baby-sitting duty.

ShortFest International Film Festival

The Film Festival and ShortFest are presented by the Film Society under the mission of nurturing new filmmaking talent, honoring the great masters of film, and providing audiences with an appreciation of world cinema.

As many as 4,200 films are submitted annually and as many as 22,000+ people from around the globe show up to view the 325 best shorts that make the cut. This year’s films will be screened in 90-minute themed programs June 19 – 25. A reason why so many films are submitted each year, just may be because more than 100 shorts have gone on to receive Oscar® nominations or awards, and many others have received BAFTA® and Los Premios Goya-qualifying awards.

Palm Springs, Home to World Famous Film Festivals

Palm Springs is the epicenter for many of the world’s most important annual film festivals, and it makes perfect sense. Only two hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs offers a warm climate, cool movie venues, and the good eats needed to attract world renowned film producers, makers, financiers, and film enthusiasts.

Each year, from January through mid-October, fans and filmmakers from every corner of the planet descend upon Palm Springs to view an eclectic mix of films from every genre, and to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities and movie makers.

Some of the most widely acclaimed and attended Palm Springs Film Festivals are:

• International Festival of Short Films. Hundreds of short films are screened. The largest festival of its kind in North America, it usually draws notable visitors from the Hollywood industry. (September)
• International Hispanic Film Festival of Greater Palm Springs. Screenings of Hispanic-themed and produced films. (October)
• International Film Festival. One of the country’s largest film festivals, frequented by celebrities. (January)
• Native American Film and Art Festival. Screens feature and short films by Native Americans, panel discussions, an art exhibit, and closing party, sponsored by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. (March)
• American Documentary Film Festival (AmDocs). Independent filmmakers share their documentaries about real people and issues. (April)
• Film Noir Festival. These classic black and white film noir are to die for. (June)
• Desert Film Society. A new film is screened the first Saturday each month, followed by a discussion. (July)