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Stars Shine at Palm Springs ShortFest 2026
2 Jun
Summary
- Over 300 short films from 71 countries will screen.
- Many buzzy film and TV actors appear in the lineup.
- The festival screens 50 curated programs and 329 short films.
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is gearing up for its 2026 edition, scheduled from June 23 to June 29. This year, the festival will present a vast collection of over 300 short films hailing from 71 countries and territories. A total of 50 curated programs will be screened, featuring 329 unique short films. Attendees can anticipate numerous premieres, including 52 world premieres and a significant number of international, North American, U.S., and California premieres. Submissions for the festival saw an impressive number, with over 7,000 short films from 145 countries vying for a spot.
The festival's lineup is highlighted by the presence of several recognizable film and television actors. Notable appearances include Melissa Joan Hart in 'Following,' Nina Dobrev, Cedric Yarbrough, and Adam Shapiro in 'General Admission,' and Patton Oswalt in 'Going Home.' Alan Cumming stars in 'Kiloran Bay,' and Jim Cummings and Justin Simien are featured in 'Stay for the Q&A.' Festival artistic director Lili Rodriguez expressed excitement about discovering new filmmakers and the diverse emotional and thematic range of this year's selections.
Tickets for the ShortFest screenings, which will all take place at the Festival Theaters, will be available for purchase starting June 4, 2026. The event will culminate with the announcement of juried winners on Sunday, June 28, distributing $30,000 in cash prizes across five Oscar-qualifying award categories. The festival will officially close on Monday, June 29, with the 'Best of the Fest' program showcasing the top award-winning shorts.
