The Palm Springs International ShortFest 2025 concluded with the announcement of its award winners during an Awards Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel in Palm Springs. The festival, sponsored by the City of Palm Springs, took place from June 24 to June 30 and showcased 311 short films.
Several awards were presented, including five Academy Award-qualifying categories. These awards offer winners the opportunity to submit their shorts for Oscar consideration. The Best of the Festival Award went to “Retirement Plan” from Ireland, directed by John Kelly. Special mentions included “Passarinho” for Best Director and “Beyond Silence” for Best Acting.
In other categories, “Budō” from Sweden won Best Animated Short, while “Shanti Rides Shotgun” from the USA took home Best Documentary Short. In live-action categories, “Susana,” a collaboration between Mexico and the USA, was awarded Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes.
Student shorts were also recognized with various awards. “Dragfox” from the United Kingdom won Best Student Animated Short, and “Cura Sana” from Spain received Best Student International Short. U.S.-based student shorts like “Nervous Energy” and “Breastmilk” shared recognition for Best Student U.S. Short.
Special Jury Awards included Vimeo Staff Pick Award going to “You Know You Wanna Stay.” The Best International Short was shared by “Beyond Silence” and India’s “Kuchar (The Itch).” Other categories such as Comedy, LGBTQ+, Midnight Shorts, and Local Jury Awards also highlighted diverse films.
Audience Awards featured favorites like “Wednesdays with Gramps,” which won both Best Animated Short and Kids’ Choice Award.
The Palm Springs International Film Society is known for its mission to promote film art through education and cross-cultural awareness. It organizes both the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January and the Palm Springs International ShortFest in June.
For more information about the festival or to purchase tickets, visit psfilmfest.org or contact festival headquarters at (760) 778-8979.
