ShortFest 2020 Update: A Letter from Artistic Director Lili Rodriguez and Managing Director Rhea Lewis Woodson

Dear ShortFest Community,

For the last 25 years, we have come together under the Palm Springs sun to celebrate the world of short films, the filmmakers who work in the form, and the industry and audience who support them. It is a highlight in our organization's year, an event we look forward to mounting again as soon as it wraps up. 

As we face these challenging and unprecedented times caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, our organization is fully committed to doing our part in flattening the curve by following the law and guidelines set by the CDC, State of California, Riverside County and the City of Palm Springs.  Based on this, we will not host an in-person festival this June. 

So much of the ShortFest experience is rooted in physically coming together and it is painful that we will not have a chance to do so this year.  But that doesn't mean we can't come together to recognize the amazing film submissions we received for the festival. We firmly believe that the world needs art, and that we can and should provide a space to stay connected. 

ShortFest 2020 will look different from previous editions. Here's what we have planned:

1. In early June, we will announce an Official Selection, curated from the more than 6,000 submissions received this season. A selection of these films will be available for screening on our website for free from June 16-22, 2020 (the original dates of the festival).
2. Virtual classes and panels with industry guests will be available from June 16-22, 2020 as part of the ShortFest Forum. 
3. In late June, we will announce the winners from our curated line-up presenting them with awards and cash prizes worth $25,000 including five Academy Award® qualifying awards.
4. We will be returning all submission fees to FilmFreeway who will issue full refunds or credit to filmmakers.

While it may look different, ShortFest remains dedicated to providing a space to facilitate connections between creators, industry, and our amazing audience. We look forward to engaging with you more in June.  

Sincerely, 

Lili Rodriguez                Rhea Lewis-Woodson
Artistic Director              Managing Director

# # #    

Media Contacts: 
Scenario Steven Wilson / Ashley Patterson 
Steven.Wilson@scenariopr.com / Ashley.Patterson@scenariopr.com   

Tony Ramos
Palm Springs International Film Society 
Tony@psfilmfest.org 760-322-2930