Forum
The ShortFest Forum is the "classroom" educational component of the Festival where we bring together festival filmmakers and prominent industry members for panels, roundtables, and meetings, covering a wide range of emerging trends and new practices in the global film community. They focus on the art and industry of filmmaking and offer filmmakers a first-hand opportunity to listen, learn, and network with a group of industry professionals specializing in their fields.
All Forum events will be held in person at the Renaissance Palm Springs and require a Shortfest Pass. Events are first-come, first-served so we recommend arriving early to guarantee your seat
Please note that the One-on-Ones will require advance registration. Registration is also required for those wanting to be considered to pitch during the Pitch Perfect masterclass.
Roundtables and One-on-Ones are Filmmaker only events
Check your badge for access details for all other Forum events.
Ready to make the leap from short to feature? Hear from this seasoned group of filmmakers on their creative journeys, challenges, and unexpected outcomes as they navigated the transition to feature filmmaking, and learn the best ways to prepare yourself for that next step.
PASSHOLDER DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Industry Participants
A Forum favorite! Join us for an open and candid conversation with festival experts, programmers and curators as they reveal how selection processes work, share tips for crafting strategies and preparing submissions, and outline ways to make the most of your festival experiences. Bring all your questions as the audience will be the moderators!
PASSHOLDER DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Industry Participants
It's a tumultuous time to be making films, and the industry has changed dramatically in the last few years, from strikes to pandemic whiplash, new technologies and everything in between. Hear from our panel of directors, producers, and executives on what might be next, the challenges and rewards of growing in this unpredictable landscape, and how we can move towards more professional sustainability.
PASSHOLDER DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Industry Participants
Whether short or feature, financing films is never easy. Learn about how this process works, debunk financing myths and hear from our panel of filmmakers and industry experts on their unique tips for securing funds for new projects. Bring all your questions as the audience will be the moderators!
PASSHOLDER DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Industry Participants
Dive into the art of pitching with this engaging, interactive masterclass. Hear from a group of experts on the do's and don'ts of pitching and what makes for a winning idea and delivery. Submit your pitch ahead of time for the chance to pitch directly to the panelists and receive feedback live! Three pitches will be pre-selected and confirmed prior to the panel.
PASSHOLDER DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Industry Participants
Don't miss the chance to meet in person with an industry professional as part of our One on Ones. These general meetings are designed to allow you the opportunity to ask burning questions about areas of the industry you are interested in working in or learning more about, general career advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.
Industry Participants
Don't miss the chance to meet in person with an established filmmaker as part of our One on Ones. These general meetings give you the opportunity to ask burning questions about their careers, aspects of filmmaking you are interested in learning more about, general advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.
Industry Participants
Our signature roundtable event returns! In an intimate group setting, hear directly from prominent development executives, agents, and managers to learn about what they look for when finding projects, how they build relationships with filmmakers, and how your work can stand out from the crowd. Bring your questions - we'll rotate every 20 minutes so you'll be able to meet with 3 speakers total. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.
Industry Participants
Our signature roundtable event returns! In an intimate group setting, hear directly from festival programmers and organizations involved in artist support and granting to learn about how their selection processes work, what they look for, and what opportunities exist for your project. Bring your questions - we'll rotate every 20 minutes so you'll be able to meet with 3 speakers total. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.
Industry Participants
See it for yourself!
Check out our 2023 ShortFest Forum playlist.