palm Springs International ShortFest Crowns 2025 Winners, Five Films qualify for Academy Awards
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International ShortFest 2025 announced its winners, with 'Retirement Plan' taking Best of the Festival.Five award-winning films now qualify for the 2025 Academy awards.">
PALM SPRINGS, CA – The 2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest, which ran from June 24-30, 2025, has announced its juried award winners. Honors and cash prizes totaling $30,000 where awarded, with five films now qualified for consideration at the 2025 Academy Awards. The winning films were selected from 311 submissions.
The festival included categories such as Best Animated Short, best Documentary Short, Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes, and Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and under. the awards brunch celebrated the filmmakers and their achievements.
Key Winners at the 2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest
The palm Springs International shortfest is a vital platform for short filmmakers, offering exposure and opportunities for advancement in the film industry. Many past winners have gone on to achieve significant success, highlighting the festival’s role in nurturing emerging talent [1].
Did You Know? The Palm Springs International ShortFest is one of the largest short film festivals in North America, attracting thousands of submissions each year.
Best of the Festival
“Retirement Plan,” directed by John Kelly, took home the Best of the Festival Award.
Animated Achievements
“Budō” (Sweden), directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma, won Best Animated Short.
documentary Excellence
“Shanti rides Shotgun” (USA), directed by Charles Frank, was awarded Best Documentary Short.
Live-Action Highlights
“Susana” (Mexico/USA), directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello escalante, won Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes. “Medusa” (USA), directed by Sarah Meyohas, secured best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under.
Student Standouts
“Dragfox” (United Kingdom), directed by Lisa Ott, won Best Student Animated Short. “Healthy cur” (Spain), directed by Lucía G. Romero, received Best Student International Short. “Nervous Energy” (USA), directed by eve Liu, was awarded Best Student U.S. Short. “You Can’t See It from Here” (USA/Colombia), directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero, won Best Student Documentary Short.
additional Awards
“You Know You wanna Stay” (USA),directed by Alex Heller,received the Vimeo Staff Pick Award. “Beyond Silence” (The Netherlands), directed by Marnie Blok, won best international Short, while “Szypliszki” (USA), directed by Jordan Axelrod, secured Best U.S. Short. “how Was Your Weekend” (USA), directed by Cam Banfield, was named Best Comedy Short. “Chico” (France/Belgium), directed by Théo Abadie, won Best LGBTQ+ Short. “Mango” (United Kingdom/France), directed by Joan Iyiola, received Best Midnight Short. “Big Bass” (USA), directed by Drew Dickler, won the Desert Views Local Jury award. “Énouement” (USA), directed by Angel Lu, was awarded the Young Cineastes Award. “Wednesdays with gramps” (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland, won the Kids’ Choice Award.
Pro Tip: Attending film festivals like Palm Springs International ShortFest can provide invaluable networking opportunities for filmmakers.
The importance of Palm Springs International ShortFest
The Palm Springs International ShortFest not only celebrates short films but also serves as a launchpad for emerging filmmakers. Winning films often gain critical acclaim and increased visibility, leading to further opportunities in the industry [2].
The festival’s Academy Award-qualifying status adds prestige, attracting a high caliber of submissions and attendees. The event contributes substantially to the cultural landscape of Palm Springs and the broader film community [3].
| Award Category | Winning Film | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Best of the Festival | Retirement Plan | John Kelly |
| Best Animated Short | Budō | Amanda Aagard and alexander Toma |
| Best Documentary Short | Shanti Rides Shotgun | Charles Frank |
| Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes | Susana | Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante |
| Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and under | Medusa | Sarah meyohas |
What are the biggest challenges facing short filmmakers today? How can film festivals better support emerging talent?
About Palm Springs International ShortFest
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is an annual film festival held in Palm Springs, California. It is indeed dedicated to showcasing short films from around the world and provides a platform for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and audiences. The festival includes screenings, workshops, and networking events, making it a key event in the short film circuit [4].
Why Short Films Matter
Short films are an essential part of the film industry, offering a creative outlet for filmmakers to experiment with new ideas and techniques. They often serve as a stepping stone for emerging directors and actors, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their talent and gain recognition. Short films also offer audiences a diverse range of stories and perspectives that may not be found in mainstream cinema [5].
