Now in its tenth year, the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films has announced its roster of 308 films, selected from more than 2,000 worldwide entries, up 15 percent from last year, setting a new record for the festival. All selections have been structured into approximately 100-minute themed programs covering a wide array of issues for specific and general audiences to enjoy.
The program titled “Famous Directors: Take One” will feature the humble beginnings of some of the top directors of the last three decades including David Lynch’s “Amputee,” Jane Campion’s “A Girls Own Story,” Spike Jonze’s “How They Get There,” Francois Truffaut’s “Les Mistons,” Martin Scorsese’s “The Big Shave,” Luis Bunuel’s “Un Chien Andalou” and Tim Burton’s “Vincent.”
The “Star Power” program features short films made by or featuring well-known acting talents including Kathy Bates in “The Ingrate.” Other recognizable faces will include Allison Janney in “Chicken Party,” Julie Delpy in “Notting Hill Anxiety Festival” and Darryl Hannah and Jeff Goldbum in “Supermarket” directed by Illeana Douglas. Also in this program are shorts directed by Andrew McCarthy titled “News For the Church,” “Nobody’s Perfect” directed by Hank Azaria and “Betrunner” directed by Vincent Spano.
This year’s opening night screening will be highlighted by award-winning live-action and animated films. They include “7:35 in the Morning,” Youth Jury Prize, Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival; “Flatlife,” Jury Grand Prize at Cannes International Film Festival; “Passing Hearts,” Audience Award at Berlin Film Festival, Cinematography at Aspen Shortsfest and Humanitarian Award at Cleveland Film Festival; “The Man Without a Shadow,” Best Short Film at Cannes International Film Festival and Croatia World Festival of Animation; “Trust,” Honorable Mention for Best Experimental Short at Toronto Worldwide Short Film Festival; “Two Cars, One Night,” Best Drama at Aspen ShortsFest and Panorama Best Short Film at 2004 Berlin Film Festival; “Wasp,” Best Live Action Short at Toronto Worldwide Short Film Festival; “We Have Decided Not to Die,” Audience Award for Best Short Film at 2004 Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival. The screenings will be followed by an opening night reception at Las Casuelas Terraza.
For more info, visit the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films.
