The best part of the Palm Springs International ShortFest each year is announcing the winners of the Oscar-qualifying short films. First, those filmmakers are excited to receive monetary awards, such as the $5,000 Best of Fest prize offered by Immediate Past Chairman Harold Matzner. But then, they realize their lives are going to change-their work is eligible to be submitted to the Academy Awards! That moment of realization is truly magic.
At a closing brunch reception on Sunday, June 24, 2024, the Palm Springs International Film Society honored audience favorites and jury award-winning films, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards. These awards included:
Best of the Festival – Bogotá Story, Directed by Esteban Pedraza
Best Animated Short – The Car That Came Back from the Sea, Directed by Jadwiga Kowalska
Best Documentary Short – Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr, Directed by Kimberly Reed
Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes – Oyu, Directed by Atsushi Hirai
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under – Complications, Directed by Ivar Aase
Both the Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest are solid predictors of the next Oscars. Designated by AMPAS, BAFTA, BIFA and Goya Awards as an award-qualifying festival, and accredited by the International Short Film Conference, the Palm Springs International ShortFest & Short Film Market is one of the most acclaimed short film showcases in the world.
The Best of the Festival shorts will be available to view virtually from July 10-14. Virtual passes and more information available here: https://www.psfilmfest.org/shortfest-2024