Editor

Know as one of the premiere short film festivals in the world, Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films has unveiled it’s dynamic festival for 2006. Open on August 24 through the 30th over 300 films will be screened this year at the US largest and most respected short film festival. A record breaking 2,500 short films were submitted this year and the cream of the crop will be keeping short film lovers cool in the theaters in the beautiful desert town of Palm Springs.

Once again the Camelot Theaters play host to the event and the Festival will showcase 73 World Premieres, 56 North American Premieres and 16 U.S. Premieres. A multitude of stars will grace many of the shorts as well as stars who have transcended to filmmakers. A few of the notable names featured this year are:Adrian Grenier, Alan Thicke, Andy Serkis, Brandon Routh, Carole Lynley, Clu Gulager, David Strathairn, Debbie Harry, Dominic West, Garrison Keillor, John Phillip Law, Jon Cryer, Melissa Leo, Milo Ventimiglia, Olivia Williams, Richard Karn, Rick Dees, RuPaul, Ryan Seacrest, Timothy Hutton, Wilmer Valderrama, and World Premiere of Sage Stallone’s Film.

Award winning shorts from over 43 countries from around the world will be presented. With 48 themed short programs covering a wide array of issues will have something for everyone this year. From the 2,500 films to choose from programs covering a variety of topics including gay and lesbian lifestyles, animals, show business, relationships, 9/11, body language, crime, families, happiness, true stories, memories, high school, table manners, war, Jewish experiences, road trips, marriage, the Middle East, experimental work, a spotlight on both women directors and Canadian short films as well as the world premiere of a collection of shorts from the creators at Nickelodeon.

The opening night screening will be highlighted by award-winning live-action and animated films from the Cannes, Berlin, Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, Aspen, and Toronto Festivals and the European Film Award winner for Best Short Film and many others followed by an opening night reception at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. The films include The Danish Poet, Mother, Never Like the First Time, Sniffer, Tragic Story with Happy Ending, Transaction and Undressing My Mother.


Festival Director Darryl Macdonald has honed his expertise in Film Festivals and the desert community should be honored to have him be part of the film loving community. His hard work and dedication to cinema and the city shows a ever growing organization. Palm Springs is now known as one of US and the world and a film and filmmaker destination for Festivals, both the Summer Short Fest and amazing market to the Winter Festival and its international array of Academy nominated foreign films.

The Festival offers four special ticket plans. The Insider’s Pass for $200 includes complete access to all screenings and events. A 6-Ticket Coupon Book for $45 offers six movies for the price of five. Tickets to the Opening Night Program and Party or the Awards Night Program and Reception are $25 each. Single tickets for the Festival are currently on sale at the Camelot Theatres for $9 per screening before 5:00 p.m., and $10 for screenings after 5:00 p.m. Advance tickets and passes can be purchased online at www.psfilmfest.org or by calling (800) 778-8979.

The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films is supported by a growing number of local and national sponsors. Renewing their support of this year’s Festival is the Title Sponsor, The City of Palm Springs and Presenting Sponsors including Spencer’s Restaurant, The Desert Sun, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Wessman Development. This year’s major sponsors include Kodak, Las Casuelas Terraza restaurant, the Palm Springs Mall, Panavision, Dale’s Lost Highway, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, CBS2 Television, The Bottom Line, Crazy Bones Restaurant, MySpace.com., Tourism tv., Morris Desert Media, KMIR-TV, KESQ-TV and Time Warner Cable. Additional sponsors include Greater Palm Springs Pride, Subway, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starz Entertainment Group, Metromint, Palm Springs Women in Film & Television and Toucan’s Tiki Lounge. This year’s official Host Hotel is the Hotel Zoso.


The Festival begins August 24th to the 30th as the top short films heat up Palm Springs and film audiences of the desert. www.psfilmfest.org for a complete list of this year’s film programs).