ShortFest unveils 2025 lineup with 311 films from 64 countries
The festival’s 31st edition will screen works by celebrated actors including Ian McKellen, Chris Pine and Alicia Silverstone from June 24 through 30.
The Palm Springs International ShortFest announced its 2025 lineup Tuesday featuring 311 films from 64 countries and territories across 51 curated programs.
The 31st edition of the festival, sponsored by the city of Palm Springs, will run June 24 through 30 at the Festival Theaters, 789 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. The programming includes 45 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 36 North American premieres, 19 U.S. premieres and 94 California premieres, selected from more than 6,200 submissions from 141 countries and territories.
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“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.”
The festival will feature short films starring notable actors including Ian McKellen, Chris Pine, Alicia Silverstone, John C. Reilly, Haley Joel Osment, Domhnall Gleeson, Alan Cumming and Rosie O’Donnell, among others. Notable titles include “Dragfox” starring McKellen, “What’s the Deal with Birds?” starring Pine, “Learning How to Drive” with Silverstone, and “Main Man” featuring Osment and Finn Wittrock.
In addition to short films, the festival will spotlight the Hulu drama “Paradise,” created by Dan Fogelman and starring Sterling K. Brown. Award-winning director Hanelle M. Culpepper, a ShortFest alum from 2003, will attend the screening of the episode “You Asked for Miracles,” which she directed.
The festival reflects international filmmaking diversity, with works from France leading with 32 films, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada with 22 each. Other well-represented countries include Spain, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, China, India, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. Women directed 134 of the 311 films, representing 43 percent of the total programming.
ShortFest has established itself as a proven launchpad for awards recognition, with over 100 past-presented films receiving Academy Award nominations. Juried award winners will be announced June 29, with five Academy Award-qualifying awards and cash prizes totaling $30,000. Award categories include best of festival, best animated short, best documentary short, and best live-action shorts in multiple time categories.
The festival will also host the ShortFest Forum from June 27-29, featuring panels, roundtable discussions and interactive sessions with industry professionals and filmmakers. Details on the 2025 jury and full forum program will be announced Thursday.
Individual tickets will be available Thursday at psfilmfest.org. The Best of the Fest shorts will screen on the festival’s final day, June 30.
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