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PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL & FILM MARKET

Now in its 16th year, the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films has become known world-wide for the extraordinary community of filmmakers it attracts, and for the quality and scope of its programming. This celebrated event is the largest festival of its kind in America, showcasing over 300 short films each year from more than 40 countries, with a library of more than 2 200 films available to film buyers, industry and press in the Film Market running concurrently with the Festival.

Executive Director Darryl Macdonald said, "The Festival and its associated Film Market is ranked the largest in North America. It is also consistently noted as one of the most filmmaker friendly and finest organized short film festivals in the World. Over the course of the Festival’s first 11 years, 49 films from our line-up went on to become Academy Award nominees. Our Short Film Market, which runs during the Festival, encompasses over 2,200 new short films and viewing facilities for attending industry, press and filmmakers.

Last year’s ShortFest drew almost 15,000 attendees, including over 500 filmmakers, press and industry buyers and representatives and is truly a world-class event. Each year over two-thirds of the films presented at the Festival are acquired by distributors, networks or online companies, or find sales agents. In addition to attracting the top North American and European distributors and sales agents of short films, agents, studio and specialty-channel representatives attend the Festival in search of the next generation of writers and directors.

Competition: ShortFest is a competitive Film Festival. Films accepted are automatically eligible for the applicable competition category. A Jury comprised of filmmakers and industry representatives will screen all competition finalists, deliberate and announce the results at Awards Night on June 28, 2010. Filmmakers not present will be notified in writing.

Awards: The Palm Springs ShortFest is one of the few qualifying festivals for the Best Short Film Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Festival includes twenty awards in six competitive categories, with award cash or film production prizes in each category ($70,000 worth of prizes, in all), as well as "Best of the Fest" and "Future Filmmaker" awards. All first place winners in the Live Action and Animation categories are automatically eligible for nomination consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Since the Festival's inception, 53 short films featured at the event have gone on to garner Academy Award nominations.

Entry requirements:
Early Entry Fees
Postmarked by January 15, 2010
Student $30 US; Non-student: $40 US

Regular Entry Fees
Postmarked by February 15, 2010
Student $40 US; Non-student $50 US

Late Entry Fees
Postmarked by March 15, 2010
Student $50 US; Non-student $60 US

• Films must have been completed in 2009 or 2010.
• Films must be no more than 40 minutes in length including credits.
• Films shot in other formats must be available for projection in 35mm, Beta SP, Digibeta, Mini DV. NTSC/PAL OK for all.
• All non-English language films must have legible English language subtitles.
• The film must not have been viewed on the internet or national broadcast, cable or satellite television prior to the Festival screening.
• The film must not have had a public screening in Palm Springs prior to the Festival screening.
• Films accepted into the festival must arrive with with shipping and customs duties or taxes pre-paid, by May 8, 2010.

We encourage all interested filmmakers to apply and experience the art of short cinema in our beautiful desert oasis. Entry forms are also available at www.psfilmfest.org or by calling (760) 322-2930.

Online entry form:

Or download an entry form PDF

Information about the Festival and submission guidelines can be found on the Festival’s website at www.psfilmfest.org

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