Palm Springs International ShortFest
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Palm Springs International ShortFest ran from June 24 to 30, 2025. Retirement Plan won the Best of the Festival Award. The jury awards included special mentions and four joint-winning categories. Audience awards recognized documentary, live-action, student and animated shorts.
Best of the Festival Award
USD 5,000.
Best of the Festival — Special Mention for Best Director
Natalia García Agraz
Best of the Festival — Special Mention for Best Acting
Best Animated Short
USD 1,000.
Trailer Amanda Aagard, Alexander Toma
BudōOn a lonely widows daily trip to the supermarket she meets a stray cat. It follows her…Best Animated Short — Special Mention
Best Documentary Short
USD 1,000.
Best Documentary Short — Special Mention
Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes
USD 1,000.
15 minAmandine Thomas, Gerardo Coello Escalante
SusanaA middle-aged American tourist finds herself alone in Mexico City. When she encounters a…Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes — Special Mention
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under
USD 1,000.
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under — Special Mention
Best Student Animated Short
USD 1,000.
Best Student Animated Short — Special Mention
Best Student International Short
USD 1,000.
Best Student International Short — Special Mention
Best Student U.S. Short
Joint winner; the USD 1,000 prize was split between the two winning films.
Best Student U.S. Short
Joint winner; the USD 1,000 prize was split between the two winning films.
Best Student U.S. Short — Special Mention
Best Student Documentary Short
USD 1,000.
Best Student Documentary Short — Special Mention
Vimeo Staff Pick Award
USD 5,000.
Best International Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
Best International Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
Best International Short — Special Mention
Best U.S. Short
USD 1,000.
Best U.S. Short — Special Mention
Best Comedy Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
Best Comedy Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
Best Comedy Short — Special Mention
Best LGBTQ+ Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
Best LGBTQ+ Short
Joint winner; each winning film received USD 500.
No Video Available Aurora Brachman, LaTajh Simmons-Weaver
Hold Me CloseA chronicle of the power and complexity of the relationship between Corinne and Tiana,…Best LGBTQ+ Short — Special Mention
Best Midnight Short
USD 1,000.
Best Midnight Short — Special Mention
Desert Views Local Jury Award
USD 1,000.
Desert Views Local Jury Award — Special Mention
No Video Available Christalyn Hampton, Geeta Gandbhir
The Devil Is BusyAt an Atlanta abortion clinic besieged by protesters, the director of operations, Tracy,…Young Cineastes Award
USD 1,000.
Young Cineastes Award — Special Mention
Kids’ Choice Award
USD 1,000.
Trailer Justin Copeland, Chris Copeland
Wednesdays with GrampsA teenager realises he has much more in common with his Gramps than he initially thought.Kids’ Choice Award — Special Mention
Trailer Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears
ForevergreenAn orphaned bear cub finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, until his hunger for…Audience Award — Best Documentary Short
No Video Available Christalyn Hampton, Geeta Gandbhir
The Devil Is BusyAt an Atlanta abortion clinic besieged by protesters, the director of operations, Tracy,…Audience Award — Best Live-Action Short
Audience Award — Best Student Short
Audience Award — Best Animated Short
Trailer Justin Copeland, Chris Copeland
Wednesdays with GrampsA teenager realises he has much more in common with his Gramps than he initially thought.