Introduction to the film festival
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America. The seven-day competitive festival is Academy Award, BAFTA and Goya-qualifying, annually screening hundreds of shorts from approximately 60 countries. ShortFest accepts submissions up to 40 minutes in duration, in the form of both fiction and non-fiction shorts. Categories include Animation, Documentary, and Live-Action.
Official Selection
The ShortFest Official Selection comprises the approximately 300+ shorts curated thematically into programs of approximately 90 minutes in duration which aim to bring together a diverse cross-section of contemporary cinema.
Film Market
Running concurrently to the festival, the ShortFest Film Market provides accredited industry, media and filmmakers with the opportunity to watch, learn and collaborate.
Forum
The ShortFest Forum consists of roundtables, interactive events, panels, classes and networking opportunities with industry professionals who lend their knowledge and expertise at this unique gathering.
Video Library
All submitted shorts—regardless of whether they are ultimately selected to screen in the Official Selection—will be invited to participate in the ShortFest Video Library open to accredited industry representatives. A short's inclusion in the Video Library is not considered a public screening and does not affect a short's premiere status.
Awards
Academy-Award Qualifying Awards (first place only)
o Best of the Festival Award
o Best Animated Short
o Best Documentary Short
o Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes
o Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under
Special Jury Awards:
o Best International Short
o Best U.S. Short
o Desert Views Local Jury Award
o Young Cineastes Award
o Kids' Choice Award
o Best Comedy Short
o Best LGBTQ+ Short
o Best Midnight Short
Student Short Awards:
o Best Student Animated Short
o Best Student Documentary Short
o Best Student International Short
o Best Student U.S. Short
Audience Awards:
o Best Animated Short
o Best Live-Action Short
o Best Documentary Short
o Best Student Short
Rules
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-09-01
Submission start time
2025-11-01
Earlybird Deadline
2025-12-29
Regular Deadline
2026-02-05
Late Deadline
2026-02-05
Submission end time
2026-05-15
Finalist notification start time
2026-05-15
Finalist notification end time
2026-06-23
Award ceremony start time
2026-06-29
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2025/11/01
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2025/12/29
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2026/02/05
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 70 Dollar
2025/11/01
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2025/12/29
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2026/02/05
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 70 Dollar
2025/11/01
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2025/12/29
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2026/02/05
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 70 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
View in the applet
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