Nearly 20,000 fans attended the 2014 Palm Springs International ShortFest Film Festival at the Camelot Theatre. At least one-third of the attendees were filmmakers – the largest amount ever gathered in its 20-year history.
With 56 countries represented, top jury winning films came from China, Poland, New Zealand and Hong Kong. USA films received the majority of audience favorite honors at the award presentations on the festival’s closing night.
Included in the seven days of whirlwind screenings were seminars, round table discussions, master classes and nightly parties. The festival opened with Make 'Em Laugh, a series of amusing short films screened after introductions from Harold Matzner, chairman of the board of directors of the Palm Springs International Film Society; Darryl Macdonald, executive director, and Kathleen McInnis, festival director. Matzner referred to the festival as a “seven-day learning experience.”
Not only is Short Fest one of the top five film events worldwide, but also it has the largest film market in the world.
This edition offered 3,000 short films – each available for viewing daily during the festival. Of the 3,000 films submitted, 320 were selected for official festival screenings at the Camelot Theatre. An example of the quality of films selected – 97 short films featured in past Palm Springs Short Fests have received Academy Award nominations.
'Palace That I Live In from Australia' producer Mark Sims, director Aimée-Lee X. Curran, and writer/actress Lâle Teoman.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
ShortFest Director Kathleen McInnes and Executive Director Darryl Macdonald.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Harriet Baron and festival board member Steven Breimer.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Festival attendees Linda & Norm Lechlitner.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Digicom filmmaker Chelsea Bradley and Autumn Wilkinson.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Alyssa Rapp and Steven Wilson.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
'The Gunfighter' director Eric Kissack and actor Shawn Parsons.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
'Darkness Comes' writer-producer-director John Marsh with festival regular and actor Udo Kier.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Filmmakers gather upstairs in the Camelot Theatres International Café.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Filmmaker Jason Matzner and festival board member Patrick Mundt.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
'Awkward Expressions of Love' director-actor Trilby Glover with actor Ian Brennan.
Palm Springs Short Fest Earns Worldwide Accolades
Photo by Ann Greer
Jerry & Barbara Keller, owners of LULU, hosted the after-party with co-owner Willie Rhine.