Palm Springs ShortFest
One of the largest and most respected short film festivals in North America
Overview
Palm Springs ShortFest is one of the premier short film festivals in the world, screening hundreds of short films across multiple programs each June. The festival is Oscar-qualifying, meaning award winners are eligible for Academy Award consideration.
The festival accepts live-action, animated, and documentary shorts from filmmakers worldwide. Programming is highly competitive, and the selection committee reviews thousands of submissions to build each year's lineup.
How It Works
ShortFest's industry programming includes panels, workshops, and one-on-one meetings with distributors and programmers. The concentrated focus on short-form content creates a uniquely supportive environment for short filmmakers.
Submission fees range from approximately $30 to $50 depending on the category and submission deadline. The festival is held during Palm Springs' off-season, which keeps accommodation costs relatively reasonable.
Who Uses It
A must-submit festival for serious short filmmakers. The Oscar-qualifying status and strong industry presence make it one of the most valuable short film festivals in the world.
Pricing & Plans
Palm Springs ShortFest submission fees range from approximately $30-50 depending on the category and submission deadline tier, with early-bird rates providing savings for filmmakers who plan ahead. Festival passes for attendees provide access to all screening blocks and events, typically priced at approximately $150-300 for the full festival, with individual screening block tickets available at lower price points for audiences who want to attend specific programs. The June timing coincides with Palm Springs' summer off-season, which means hotel rates are significantly lower than during the winter resort season, typically ranging from $80-200 per night — a substantial savings compared to festival cities like Park City, Cannes, or New York. The lower accommodation costs make Palm Springs ShortFest one of the most affordable major festivals to attend, which is particularly valuable for short filmmakers who typically work with smaller budgets than feature filmmakers. The festival provides screening facilities across multiple venues in downtown Palm Springs, press coordination, and industry programming infrastructure for selected filmmakers. The Oscar-qualifying status means that award winners in specific categories become eligible for Academy Award consideration, adding a tangible career benefit beyond the festival experience itself.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Oscar-qualifying status makes Palm Springs ShortFest one of the most strategically important short film festivals in the world, as award winners gain eligibility for Academy Award consideration that can transform a short film from a festival circuit piece into a genuine awards contender. The festival's concentrated focus exclusively on short-form content means your film receives the kind of dedicated attention and curatorial respect that shorts rarely receive at feature-focused festivals, where they are often treated as supplementary programming. Palm Springs ShortFest's industry programming — including one-on-one meetings with distributors, agents, and development executives — provides direct access to professionals who can advance your career beyond the current short and into feature development, making the festival valuable for career-building rather than just screening. The screening of hundreds of short films from around the world creates an intensely concentrated viewing environment where programmers, acquisitions executives, and industry professionals watch more short films in a few days than they would see at any other single event throughout the year. The affordable Palm Springs location makes the festival accessible to short filmmakers at every budget level, removing the financial barriers that prevent many creators from attending their own festival premieres at more expensive events. The festival's programming committee reviews thousands of submissions, and selection demonstrates that your short has been evaluated against the strongest short-form work produced globally that year.
What Could Be Better
The intense June heat in Palm Springs — regularly exceeding 110°F (43°C) — creates a physically challenging festival environment that can be uncomfortable for attendees not accustomed to desert temperatures, and the heat discourages the kind of outdoor socializing and spontaneous interaction that characterize festivals in more temperate locations. The short film market, while growing, remains significantly smaller and less lucrative than the feature film market, meaning even a prestigious ShortFest screening or award may not generate meaningful direct revenue from distribution or licensing. The festival's remote location in the California desert, while affordable, requires dedicated travel for most attendees and lacks the cultural infrastructure and industry proximity of festivals in major cities like New York, London, or Los Angeles. The sheer volume of short films programmed — hundreds of titles — means individual films must compete for attention among an overwhelming number of screening blocks, and audiences cannot possibly watch every programmed short. The Oscar-qualifying benefit, while significant, is limited to specific award winners rather than all selected films, meaning the majority of filmmakers who screen at ShortFest do not receive the Academy Award eligibility benefit. Palm Springs' off-season timing means the city's cultural offerings are more limited than during the winter resort season, and the festival exists somewhat in isolation rather than as part of a broader cultural moment.
Our Recommendation
Palm Springs ShortFest is essential for any serious short filmmaker whose work is ready for a top-tier festival, as the Oscar-qualifying status, affordable location, and concentrated industry attention make it one of the highest-value festival opportunities available for short-form content. The festival is particularly valuable for filmmakers who want to use their short film as a stepping stone to feature development, as the industry meetings and networking opportunities specifically connect short filmmakers with agents, managers, and development executives who can help advance feature projects. If your short film has a realistic chance of winning a ShortFest award, the Academy Award eligibility pathway adds extraordinary value to the submission — research previous winners to understand the types of films that have succeeded in the competition categories. Short filmmakers who are building a festival strategy should pair ShortFest with Clermont-Ferrand as the two most important short-specific festivals in the world, with ShortFest serving the North American/Oscar pathway and Clermont-Ferrand serving the European/international market. If the June desert heat is a concern, note that the festival's venues are air-conditioned and most activities occur indoors.
Pro Tips
Submit to Palm Springs ShortFest at the earliest deadline and include a strong filmmaker bio that positions you as an emerging talent with feature ambitions, as the festival's industry programming specifically connects promising short filmmakers with career-advancing opportunities. If selected, register for as many one-on-one industry meetings as available, and prepare a concise pitch for your next project (ideally a feature) to present during these meetings, as the meetings are designed to connect short filmmakers with industry professionals who can help advance their careers. Attend screening blocks beyond your own film's program to see the full scope of international short filmmaking and connect with fellow filmmakers whose work resonates with yours, as these peer relationships often lead to future collaborations and mutual career support. Prepare for the Palm Springs heat by bringing appropriate clothing, staying hydrated, and planning your schedule around the air-conditioned venues rather than attempting outdoor activities during peak heat hours. If your film wins an award and gains Oscar eligibility, immediately research the Academy's short film submission requirements and deadlines, and begin planning the qualifying theatrical run and campaign materials needed to maximize your chances in the Academy Award short film categories.