Palm Springs International ShortFest wraps up 2025 Festival with Awards Brunch
Tori King
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The 31st-annual Palm Springs International ShortFest is coming to a close, and the festival hosted its annual Awards Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs on Sunday morning.
During the brunch, the juried award winners and audience award winners were announced.
Awards and cash prizes worth $30,000 including five Academy Award® qualifying awards were presented throughout the morning.
Here’s a list of this year’s winners: Best of the Festival Award—Winner received $5,000 cash prize.-Retirement Plan, Directed by John Kelly-Special Mention for Best Director: Passarinho, Directed by Natalia García Agraz-Special Mention for Best Acting: Beyond Silence, Directed by Marnie BlokBest Animated Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Budō (Sweden), Directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma-Special Mention: The Little Ancestor (Canada), Directed by Alexa Tremblay-FrancoeurBest Documentary Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Shanti Rides Shotgun (USA), Directed by Charles Frank-Special Mention: One Day I Will Hug You (Palestine/Sweden/Qatar), Directed by MohammedFares Al MajdalawiBest Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Susana (Mexico/USA), Directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante-Special Mention: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve LiuBest Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Medusa (USA), Directed by Sarah Meyohas-Special Mention: Made From Leakproof Plastic (Canada/United Kingdom), Directed by Anastasiya MykhaylovaStudent Short Awards:Best Student Animated Short & Best Student International Short—Each winner received a $1,000 cash prize.Student Animated Short:-Winner: Dragfox (United Kingdom), Directed by Lisa Ott-Special Mention: Ma Mao (Canada), Directed by Thanh NgoStudent International Short:-Winner: Cura Sana (Spain), Directed by Lucía G. Romero-Special Mention: Crazy For You (Spain/USA), Directed by Greta Díaz MoreauBest Student U.S. Short & Best Student Documentary Short—Each winner received a $1000 cash prize, ties split.Student U.S. Short:-Winner: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve Liu and Breastmilk (USA/Nigeria) Directed byIfeyinwa Arinze-Special Mention: Kisses and Bullets (USA/Iran), Directed by Faranak Sahafian
Student Documentary Short:- Winner: You Can’t See It from Here (USA/Colombia), Directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero- Special Mention: Dancing in Tomorrowland (USA), Directed by Jakob RostonSpecial Jury Awards:Vimeo Staff Pick Award—Winner received a $5,000 cash prize provided by Vimeo.- Winner: You Know You Wanna Stay (USA), Directed by Alex HellerBest International Short— Each winner received a $500 cash prize.- Winners: Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), Directed by Marnie Blok and Kuchar (The Itch)(India), Directed by Vaidaangi Sharma- Special Mention: Goodbye Sun (France), Directed by Hakim Atoui
Best U.S. Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Szypliszki (USA), Directed by Jordan Axelrod-Special Mention: Ragamuffin (USA), Directed by Kaitlyn MikaylaBest Comedy Short— Each winner received a $500 cash prize.-Winners: How Was Your Weekend (USA), Directed by Cam Banfield and Your Own Flavor (USA), Directed by Alisha Ketry-Special Mention: Blood Ties (France/Belgium), Directed by Hakim AtouiBest LGBTQ+ Short—Each winner received a $500 cash prize.-Winners: Chico (France/Belgium), Directed by Théo Abadie and Hold Me Close (USA), Directedby Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver-Special Mention: It Will Always End In The End (Canada), Directed by Nancy PettinicchioBest Midnight Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
-Winner: Mango (United Kingdom/France), Directed by Joan Iyiola-Special Mention: Real (France), Directed by Rodrigue HartLocal Jury Awards:Desert Views Local Jury Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Big Bass (USA), Directed by Drew Dickler-Special Mention: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn HamptonYoung Cineastes Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Énouement (USA), Directed by Angel Lu-Special Mention: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona ObertincaKids’ Choice Award—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland-Special Mention: Forevergreen (USA), directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy SpearsAudience AwardsBest Animated Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin CopelandBest Documentary Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn HamptonBest Live-Action Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Beatrix Is Invisible (USA), directed by Alex FariasBest Student Short—Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.-Winner: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona Obertinca