Cementing its reputation as a film festival destination, Palm Springs will soon host ShortFest, a major showcase for short films and videos. The festival is recognized as a prime scouting ground for new talent and for those in the business of buying and selling short films. Its audience of 25,000 filmgoers includes over 400 filmmakers and industry professionals. Nearly 90 short films featured at past Shortfests have gone on to garner Academy Award nominations.

Now in its 18th year, this year’s Shortfest will see 323 films from over fifty countries selected from 3,000-plus submissions. Included will be 50 world premieres, 63 North American premieres, and 21 U.S. premieres. A total of $118,800 in prizes, including $16,000 in cash awards, will be given out in 19 categories to this year’s short films in competition.

The festival’s concurrent Short Film Market, the largest of its kind in America, includes seminars, master classes, and scheduled one-on-one meetings with industry experts and filmmaking professionals. All that is free to all filmmakers who participate in the Festival.

And just because the films are not feature-length doesn’t mean they can’t be star-studded. This year’s shorts feature Academy Award winners and nominees and big names like: Judi Dench in Friend Request Pending; Adam Brody in Double or Nothing; Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Picture Paris; Helena Bonham Carter in The Gruffalo’s Child; Lily Tomlin in The Procession; as well as Shia La Beouf as director of Howard Cantour, and Matthew Modine directing and starring in Jesus Was a Commie.

All films will be screened at the Camelot Theatres at 2300 E. Baristo Road in Palm Springs. Panels, workshops, and seminars will be held at the Renaissance Hotel at 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.

In addition, over a dozen hotels and inns are offering special room rates for Shortfest attendees, including:

- The Renaissance starting at $119
- Ace Hotel & Swim Club starting at $89
- Alcazar starting at $99
- The Saguaro starting at $69

An insider festival pass price is $185/members and $200/non-members, while a “Reel Deal Six Pack” for six screenings is $51.
For more information and tickets call (760) 322-2930 or (800) 898-7526 or visit www.psfilmfest.org.