2025 PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2025 LINEUP

Sponsored by the City of Palm Springs, this 31st edition welcomed audiences at the Festival Theaters from June 24-30, 2025. In all, the festival screened 51 curated programs showcasing 311 films from 64 countries and territories, including 45 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, 36 North American Premieres, 19 U.S. Premieres., and 94 California Premieres. More than 6,200 short films from 141 countries and territories were submitted. 

“Brimming with inspired storytellers and experimentation, this year’s ShortFest once again promises short films which push boundaries, spark conversations, and entertain audiences,” said Lili Rodriguez, Artistic Director of the Palm Springs International Film Society. “As we mark our 31st year, we embrace the fresh voices shaping the future of this industry, the short form which continues to elevate the medium of moviemaking to new heights. We’re thrilled to bring these stories to our passionate Palm Springs community and to welcome filmmakers from across the world to the Coachella Valley.”

Short films featuring celebrated film and television actors include Aria starring Pauline Chalamet; BDAY Private Dick starring John C. Reilly and Nick Thune; Blood Boys starring Booboo Stewart; Cattywampus starring Hamish Linklater and John Carroll Lynch; Dragfox starring Ian McKellen and Divina De Campo; Dust to Dust starring Tess Goldwyn; Fireline starring Bobby Soto and Fabian Alomar; Good Boy Banjo starring Albert Birney and Shirley Chen; Hatchlings starring Demi Singelton; Heaven is Nobody’s starring Roger Guenveur Smith; How Was Your Weekend? starring James Morosini and Rachael Harris; I Want To Feel Fun starring Esther Povitsky and Simon Rex; Interloper starring Chloe East and Ryan Simpkins; Little One starring Lucy Walters; Learning How to Drive with Alicia Silverstone; Main Man starring Haley Joel Osment, Finn Wittrock, and Jenny Yang; Matilda and the Brave Escape starring Bella Ramsey; Max Distance starring John Daly; Melody of Love starring Jane Levy and John Reynolds; Moon Lake directed by Jeannie Sui Wonders and starring Chase Sui Wonders; No Experience Necessary starring Michael Graceffa; Petra and the Sun starring Fernando Solís Lara; Retirement Plan starring Domhnall Gleeson; Rhoda starring Emma D’Arcy; She Raised Me starring Rosie O’Donnell; Sleazy Tiger starring Alan Cumming; Tape Worm starring CJ Beckford and Antonia Campbell-Hughes; Tanning Zone directed by Chloe East; Thanks for Having Me starring Caleb Hearon, Johnny Berchtold and Ryan Simpkins; The Errand directed by Hayley Marie Norman and starring Vanessa Chester; The Last Cinnamon Roll starring Reggie Watts; The Yellow starring Haley Joel Osmont and Marin Hinkle; Three Keenings starring Seamus O'Hara; What Freedom starring Ashley Park; What’s the Deal with Birds? starring Chris Pine and Kimia Behpoornia; Where We Came From starring Archie Panjabi; and You Know You Wanna Stay starring Elsie Fisher.

In addition to short films, ShortFest spotlighted the Hulu drama Paradise, created by Dan Fogelman and starring Sterling K. Brown. Award-winning writer, director, and ShortFest alum Hanelle M. Culpepper attended the screening of episode "You Asked for Miracles," which she directed. Culpepper attended ShortFest in 2003 with her shorts A Single Roseand Six and the City. Her diverse work as a director in television includes the pilot for Star Trek: Picard as well as episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte, Westworld, True Story, The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray, Anansi Boys, Kung Fu and more.

A proven launchpad for awards contention, ShortFest has seen over 100 of its past-presented films going on to receive Academy Award® nominations. Juried award winners were announced on Sunday, June 29, from the official selection, which includes five Academy Award-qualifying awards and cash prizes totaling $30,000. The Best of the Fest shorts were screened on the final day, Monday, June 30. This year’s award categories, which each have their own group of jury members, include: 

Oscar®Qualifying Awards: Best of the Festival Award, Best Animated Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes and Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under. 

Student Short Awards: Best Student Animated Short, Best Student Documentary Short, Best Student International Short, and Best Student U.S. Short. 

Special Jury Awards: Best International Short, Best U.S. Short, Best Comedy Short, Best LGBTQ+ Short, Best Midnight Short, Desert Views Award, Young Cineastes Award, Kids’ Choice Award

Vimeo Staff Pick Award: Honoring one outstanding short film with a cash prize, a guaranteed Vimeo Staff Pick, and featured promotion across Vimeo’s platform and channels.

Audience Awards Awards: Best Animated Short, Best Live-Action Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Student Short

In addition to 158 U.S. shorts, ShortFest 2025 reflects the global pulse of filmmaking, highlighting international works from France (32), the United Kingdom (22), Canada (22), Spain (8), Brazil (7), Germany (7) Belgium (5), China (5), India (5), Ireland (6), Mexico (5), Portugal (5), Sweden (5), Switzerland (5), The Netherlands (5), Australia (4), Croatia (4), Estonia (3), Finland (3), Iran (3), Italy (3), Norway (3), Poland (3), Slovenia (3), Taiwan (3), Turkey (3), and Ukraine (3) alongside films from Argentina, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguary, Vietnam, and beyond. As a barometer of filmmaking writ large, 134 of the 311 films (43%) are directed by women, as reported by the filmmakers. The 2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest will screen the following films: 

Animation 

• A Blue Summer (France), directed by Juliette Ragot

• As If Swallowed By Earth/Como Si la tierra se las hubiera tragado (France), directed by Natalia León

• Autophagy (United Kingdom), directed by Edie Lawrence (California Premiere)

• Black Tide (Reunion/Mauritius), directed by Kim Yip Tong (California Premiere)

• Budō (Sweden), directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma

• Can You Hear Me? (Poland), directed by Anastazja Naumenko (North American Premiere)

• Caries (Switzerland), directed by Aline Höchli (California Premiere)

• Cartagene (France), directed by Léa Berbach, Fabien Bernard, Lou Buisson, Paola Couturier, Marine La Villa, Théo Nouare, Marie Pacreau, and Abla Saigh (California Premiere)

• Chico (France/Belgium), directed by Théo Abadie (California Premiere)

• Christopher & The Bug (Canada), directed by Vanessa Esteves and Kevin Micallef (California Premiere)

• Curly Joe Two Kittens Four Boxes and the Scent of Fire (USA), directed by Apo W. Bazidi and Anna Benner (World Premiere)

• Cycle of Violence: Puppy Please! (Germany), directed by Felicia Bergström (International Premiere)

• Dormilón (USA), directed by Olivia Marie Valdez

• Dragfox (United Kingdom), directed by Lisa Ott

• Forever (France), directed by Théo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, and Anissa Terrier

• Forevergreen (USA), directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears (U.S. Premiere)

• Fountain (Iran), directed by Hazhir As'adi (International Premiere)

• Headrest (Finland), directed by Heta Okkonen (North American Premiere)

• Hermano Hermana (USA), directed by Rodrigo Cuartas, Jonathan Cuartas, and Michael Cuartas

• Hoofs on Skates (Lithuania), directed by Ignas Meilūnas

• Humantis (USA), directed by Paris Baillie 

• Hun Tun (Czech Republic/France), directed by Magdalena Hejzlarová (North American Premiere)

• Hurikán (Czech Republic/France/Slovakia/Bosnia and Herzegovina), directed by Jan Saska

• Kaminhu (France), directed by Marie Vieillevie (North American Premiere)

• La Voix des Sirènes (Italy/France), directed by Gianluigi Toccafondo

• Le Charade (USA), directed by Erika Totoro 

• Le Petit et le Géant (France/Brazil), directed by Isabela Costa (North American Premiere)

• Luz Diabla (Argentina/Canada), directed by Gervasio Canda, Patricio Plaza, and Paula Boffo

• Ma Mao (Canada), directed by Thanh Ngo

• Mambo No.2 (Germany), directed by Anne Feldmeier (California Premiere)

• Matilda and the Brave Escape (United Kingdom), directed by Ash Reed (International Premiere)

• Mont Noir (France/Portugal), directed by Erika Haglund and Jean-Baptiste Peltier (California Premiere)

• Mother of Dawn (Brazil/Portugal/Belgium/Finland), directed by Clara Trevisan (North American Premiere)

• Mother’s Child (The Netherlands), directed by Naomi Noir (California Premiere)

• My Teenage Blackout (France), directed by Basile Khatir (California Premiere)

• No Room (Croatia), directed by Jelena Oroz (California Premiere)

• On Weary Wings Go By (Estonia/Lithuania), directed by Anu-Laura Tuttelberg

• Ostrich (Switzerland), directed by Marie Kenov (California Premiere)

• Paradise Buffet (Spain/France), directed by Héctor Zafra and Santi Amézqueta (California Premiere)

• Paradise Man (II) (USA), directed by Jordan Michael Blake (California Premiere)

• Pear Garden (Germany), directed by Shadab Shayegan (U.S. Premiere)

• Petra and the Sun (Chile), directed by Malu Furche and Stefania Malacchini (California Premiere)

• Playing God (Italy/France), directed by Matteo Burani (California Premiere)

• POW! (USA), directed by Joey Clift

• Radix (Germany), directed by Anne Breymann (North American Premiere)

• Red Buckets (USA), directed by Patrick Moser

• Retirement Plan (Ireland), directed by John Kelly

• Tapeworm Alexis & The Opera Diva (Switzerland), directed by Thaïs Odermatt (North American Premiere)

• The Little Ancestor (Canada), directed by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur

• Voiceless (Switzerland), directed by Samuel Patthey

• Void Spaces (Poland), directed by Marta Koch (North American Premiere)

• Volcelest (France), directed by Éric Briche

• Wandering Horse (USA), directed by Emily Ann Hoffman (California Premiere)

• Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Coopland and Justin Copeland (California Premiere)

• Where Do Birds Die? (Chile), directed by Nadiela (Daniela Estay Castillo) (North American Premiere)

• Whose Woods Are These (USA), directed by Kate Nartker

• Words of Her (USA/China), directed by Charlene Xu 

Documentary 

• A Color I Named Blue (Japan), directed by Sybilla Patrizia (California Premiere)

• Big Bass (USA), directed by Drew Dickler (California Premiere)

• Camp Widow (USA), directed by Laura Green and Anna Moot-Levin

• Campolivar (Spain), directed by Alicia Moncholí (North American Premiere)

• Clear Sky (Ukraine), directed by Marcin Kundera (North American Premiere)

• Common Pear (Slovenia/United Kingdom), directed by Gregor Božič (California Premiere)

• Dancing in Tomorrowland (USA), directed by Jakob Roston (California Premiere)

• Dears in the Headlights (South Africa), directed by Julia Jansch (California Premiere)

• Everything Twice (USA), directed by Cy Kuckenbaker

• Everywhere I Look (USA), directed by November Nolan

• Four Feet Away (USA), directed by Natalie Faye

• Georgie (USA), directed by Jennie Butler

• Hasami (Scissors) (USA/Japan), directed by Toyoko Matsuo Saindon

• Hello Beautiful Please Follow Back (USA), directed by Amandine Thomas

• Here Come the Dykes! (USA), directed by Devon Blackwell and Paul Moakley (California Premiere)

• Hold Me Close (USA), directed by Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver (California Premiere)

• Hoops, Hopes & Dreams (USA), directed by Glenn Kaino (California Premiere)

• In My Day (Poland), directed by Iga Lis (U.S. Premiere)

• Inside, the Valley Sings (Ireland), directed by Nathan Fagan (California Premiere)

• It Will Always End in the End (Canada), directed by Nancy Pettinicchio (International Premiere)

• Lanawaru (Colombia/Mexico/USA), directed by Angello Faccini Rueda (California Premiere)

• Love Immortal (Denmark/United Kingdom), directed by Ömer Sami (North American Premiere)

• My Neighbor’s Yard (USA), directed by Kara Grace Miller (World Premiere)

• One Day I Will Hug You (Palestine/Sweden/Qatar), directed by Mohammed Fares Al Majdalawi (North American Premiere)

• Out Here (USA), directed by Lisa Klein

• Psychedelic in the Sky (USA), directed by Matthew Salton (California Premiere)

• Rat Rod (USA), directed by Jared Jakins and Carly Jakins

• Replay (USA), directed by Phil Mazo

• Retroperspectiv (USA), directed by Stacey Lee (World Premiere)

• Richard Neutra’s Maslon House (USA), directed by Scott Goldstein, Dave Yakir

• Roll Down the Window (United Kingdom), directed by Lipa Hussain

• Shanti Rides Shotgun (USA), directed by Charles Frank

• Sheepdogs (USA), directed by Brian Knappmiller (World Premiere)

• Teddy (USA), directed by Lauren Santucci (California Premiere)

• Tessitura (USA), directed by Lydia Cornett, Brit Fryer

• The Building and Burning of a Refugee Camp (Sweden/Ireland), directed by Dennis Harvey (California Premiere)

• The Devil Is Busy (USA), directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Christalyn Hampton

• The Things We Don’t Say (United Kingdom/Rwanda), directed by Ornella Mutoni (California Premiere)

• Tiger (USA), directed by Loren Waters

• Time Crisis (USA), directed by Brooke Palmieri, Zac Weathers

• We Beg to Differ (Ireland/United Kingdom), directed by Ruairi Bradley (California Premiere)

• We Were the Scenery (USA), directed by Christopher Radcliff

• While We Still Have Time (Australia), directed by Ava Grimshaw-Hall (U.S. Premiere)

• Who Loves the Sun (Canada), directed by Arshia Shakiba

• Wrecked a Bunch of Cars, Had a Good Time (USA), directed by James P. Gannon and Matt Ferrin

• You Can’t See It From Here (USA/Colombia), directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero

• Your Opinion, Please (USA), directed by Marshall Granger

Live Action 

• 1:10 (Switzerland/Turkey), directed by Sinan Taner (California Premiere)

• A Bear in the Woods (USA), directed by Andrew Laurich (California Premiere)

• A Big Hug (USA), directed by Yael Grunseit (California Premiere)

• A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers (Taiwan/USA), directed by Birdy Wei-Ting Hung 

• A Loud Piece of Armour (United Kingdom), directed by Molly Burdett (World Premiere)

• A Reconciliation at the Donut Shop (USA), directed by Zach Tavel (World Premiere)

• After Alma (USA), directed by Lorena Durán  

• After the Very End (France), directed by Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi (North American Premiere)

• After What Happened at the Library (USA), directed by Syra McCarthy  

• Against One Another (France), directed by Badroudine Said Abdallah and Mehdi Meklat (World Premiere)

• Agoge (Australia), directed by Veniamin Gialouris (International Premiere)

• Almost Certainly False (Turkey), directed by Cansu Baydar (California Premiere)

• Amarela (Brazil), directed by André Hayato Saito  

• An Almost Successful Dating App Love Story (USA), directed by Winter Coleman (California Premiere)

• An Ongoing List of Things Found in the Library Book Drop, Usually Being Used as Bookmarks (USA), directed by Kayla Abuda Galang (California Premiere)

• Ana y la Distancia (USA), directed by Hansel Porras Garcia  

• Apocalypse Besties (USA), directed by Kristen Buckels Cantrell (California Premiere)

• Arctic Diva (United Kingdom), directed by Federico Barni (U.S. Premiere)

• Are You Fucking Kidding Me?! (USA), directed by Zen Pace (California Premiere)

• Aria (USA), directed by Federica Belletti (North American Premiere)

• Automagic (India/France), directed by Ashok Vish (North American Premiere)

• Baa-Baa! (Estonia), directed by Teresa Juksaar (World Premiere)

• Baba I’m Fine (USA), directed by Karina Dandashi (California Premiere)

• Bad for a Moment (Portugal), directed by Daniel Soares  

• BDAY Private Dick (USA), directed by Dante Ariola (U.S. Premiere)

• Beatrix is Invisible (USA), directed by Alex Farias (World Premiere)

• Belly Belly (USA), directed by Gabriel Carnick  

• Beograd (Serbia/USA), directed by David Milan Kelly (World Premiere)

• ¡Beso de Lengua! (Mexico), directed by José Luis Zorrero 

• Between the Lines (Austria), directed by Niklas Pollmann (North American Premiere)

• Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), directed by Marnie Blok (California Premiere)

• Blackout (Egypt), directed by Ahmed ElZogbhy (U.S. Premiere)

• Blood Boys (USA), directed by Jordan M. Hahn (California Premiere)

• Blood Ties (France/Belgium), directed by Hakim Atoui (California Premiere)

• Breastmilk (USA/Nigeria), directed by Ifeyinwa Arinze (California Premiere)

• Brief Somebodies (Canada), directed by Andy Reid (California Premiere)

• Burning Inside (Brazil), directed by Enock Carvalho and Matheus Farias (North American Premiere)

• Call Gloria! (Argentina), directed by Malena Filmus (California Premiere)

• Cattywampus (USA), directed by Jono Chanin (California Premiere)

• Century Egg (Taiwan/USA), directed by Charles Barratt (North American Premiere)

• Channelvue (USA), directed by Brandon Tauszik  

• Chasing the Party (USA), directed by Jessie Komitor (California Premiere)

• Check Please (USA), directed by Shane Chung 

• Chronic (USA), directed by Taylor Landesman (World Premiere)

• Chrysanthemum (New Zealand), directed by Jolin Lee (World Premiere)

• Clean Slate (USA), directed by Emily May Jampel (California Premiere)

• Crazy for You (Spain/USA), directed by Greta Díaz Moreau (World Premiere)

• Cub (USA), directed by Sofia Rubin (World Premiere)

• Cura Sana (Spain), directed by Lucía G. Romero  

• Dad Doll (USA), directed by Kyle Kenyon (World Premiere)

• Dandelion (USA), directed by Fiona Obertinca  

• Deck 5B (Sweden), directed by Malin Ingrid Johansson (California Premiere)

• Don’t Try This in the Woods (Greece), directed by Emma Doxiadi (World Premiere)

• Dreams, Hopes and Rotating Dolphins (Turkey), directed by Adil Burak Aydin (California Premiere)

• Driving Lessons (Ukraine), directed by Anastasiya Gruba (U.S. Premiere)

• Dust to Dust (USA), directed by Annika Chavez (World Premiere)

• Duty Free (Germany/Sweden/Denmark), directed by Hilke Rönnfeldt (U.S. Premiere)

• Emigré (USA), directed by Usman Ally   

• Enouement (USA), directed by Angel Lu

• Fantas (Canada), directed by Halima Elkhatabi  

• Fireline (USA), directed by Robin Takao D’Oench  

• Follow Me Wherever I Go (USA), directed by Max DeFalco (World Premiere) 

• Full Month (USA/Singapore), directed by Ash Goh Hua (California Premiere) 

• Gaslit (Canada), directed by Anna MacLean (California Premiere) 

• Gioia (France), directed by Nixon Singa (North American Premiere) 

• Girlfriend Experience (Norway), directed by Ingvild Dahlgren (International Premiere)

• Good Boy Banjo (USA), directed by Jackie! Zhou  

• Goodbye Sun (France), directed by Hakim Atoui (North American Premiere) 

• Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites (Cambodia/France/USA), directed by Chheangkea  

• Grave Error (United Kingdom/USA), directed by Andrew Jonathan Smith  

• Gurgling (Taiwan), directed by Christine Margaret Wu  

• /HAAW/ (USA), directed by Joey Scoma

• Happy Snaps (United Kingdom), directed by Tyro Heath (California Premiere) 

• Hatchlings (USA), directed by Jahmil Eady (World Premiere)

• Heaven Is Nobody’s (Spain/USA), directed by Hector Prats

• Hide-and-Seek (Brazil), directed by Vitória Vasconcellos (North American Premiere) 

• Himalia (Canada), directed by Clara Milo and Juliette Lossky (U.S. Premiere) 

• Hippopotami (China/Hong Kong), directed by Lin Jianjie (JJ) 

• Holy Curse (India/USA), directed by Snigdha Kapoor  

• Homework (United Kingdom), directed by Jamie Di Spirito (International Premiere) 

• Houston, We Have a Crush (USA), directed by Omer Ben Shachar (World Premiere) 

• How Was Your Weekend? (USA), directed by Cam Banfield  

• I Want to Feel Fun (USA), directed by Jessica Sanders (California Premiere) 

• I’m Really Scared I’m Dying TBH (USA), directed by Lindsay Calleran (California Premiere) 

• Inflatable Bear, Hourly (Germany), directed by Elisabeth Werchosin (North American Premiere) 

• Interloper (USA), directed by Kerry O’Neill (World Premiere) 

• Jester (United Kingdom), directed by Harry Sherriff (World Premiere)

• Kisses and Bullets (USA/Iran), directed by..