After a week of screening 311 short films from all over the world, the jury of the Palm Springs International ShortFest announced its winners during its Awards Brunch Sunday morning. The Awards not only offer $30,000 in cash prizes but select honorees will be able to submit their short film to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration!
Congratulations to all of the winners- we’ll be rooting for you at the Oscars!
Oscar-Qualifying Awards
Best of the Festival Award
Winner received $5,000 cash prize and Oscar eligibility
“Retirement Plan (Ireland),” directed by John Kelly
Best Animated Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize and Oscar eligibility
“Budō” (Sweden), directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma
Best Documentary Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize and Oscar eligibility
“Shanti Rides Shotgun” (USA), directed by Charles Frank
Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize and Oscar eligibility
“Susana” (Mexico/USA), directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize and Oscar eligibility:
Medusa” (USA), directed by Sarah Meyohas
Best Student Animated Short
“Dragfox” (United Kingdom), directed by Lisa Ott
Best Student International Short
“Cura Sana” (Spain), directed by Lucía G. Romero
Best Student U.S. Short
“Nervous Energy” (USA), directed by Eve Liu
“Breastmilk” (USA/Nigeria), directed by Ifeyinwa Arinze
Best Student Documentary Short
“You Can’t See It from Here” (USA/Colombia), directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero
Vimeo Staff Pick Award
“You Know You Wanna Stay” (USA), directed by Alex Heller
Best International Short
“Beyond Silence” (The Netherlands), directed by Marnie Blok
“Kuchar” (The Itch) (India), directed by Vaidaangi Sharma
Best U.S. Short
“Szypliszki” (USA), directed by Jordan Axelrod
“Ragamuffin” (USA), directed by Kaitlyn Mikayla
Best Comedy Short
“How Was Your Weekend” (USA), directed by Cam Banfield
“Your Own Flavor” (USA), directed by Alisha Ketry
Best LGBTQ+ Short
“Chico” (France/Belgium), directed by Théo Abadie
“Hold Me Close” (USA), directed by Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver
Best Midnight Short
“Mango” (United Kingdom/France), directed by Joan Iyiola
Desert Views Local Jury Award
“Big Bass” (USA), directed by Drew Dickler
Young Cineastes Award
“Énouement” (USA), directed by Angel Lu
Kids’ Choice Award
“Wednesdays with Gramps” (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland
Palm Springs International Film Society Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi at ShortFest opening night. Andy Abeyta for the The Desert Sun