The 2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest announced its Festival juried and audience award winners with Retirement Plan directed by John Kelly winning Best of the Festival Award.
Best Animated Short went to Budō directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma; Best Documentary Short went to Shanti Rides Shotgun directed by Charles Frank; Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes went to Susana directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante; and Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under went to Medusa directed by Sarah Meyohas.
The winner of these awards may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Winners of 2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest
Oscar-Qualifying Awards
Best of the Festival Award
Winner received $5,000 cash prize.
Winner: Retirement Plan (Ireland), Directed by John Kelly
Special Mention for Best Director: Passarinho (Mexico), Directed by Natalia García Agraz
Special Mention for Best Acting: Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), Directed by Marnie Blok
Best Animated Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Budō (Sweden), Directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma
Special Mention: The Little Ancestor (Canada), Directed by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur
Best Documentary Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Shanti Rides Shotgun (USA), Directed by Charles Frank
Special Mention: One Day I Will Hug You (Palestine/Sweden/Qatar), Directed by Mohammed Fares Al Majdalawi
Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Susana (Mexico/USA), Directed by Amandine Thomas and Gerardo Coello Escalante
Special Mention: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve Liu
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Medusa (USA), Directed by Sarah Meyohas
Special Mention: Made From Leakproof Plastic (Canada/United Kingdom), Directed by Anastasiya Mykhaylova
Student Short Awards
Each winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Student Animated Short
Winner: Dragfox (United Kingdom), Directed by Lisa Ott
Special Mention: Ma Mao (Canada), Directed by Thanh Ngo
Student International Short
Winner: Cura Sana (Spain), Directed by Lucía G. Romero
Special Mention: Crazy For You (Spain/USA), Directed by Greta Díaz Moreau
Student U.S. Short
Winner: Nervous Energy (USA), Directed by Eve Liu and Breastmilk (USA/Nigeria) Directed by Ifeyinwa Arinze
Special Mention: Kisses and Bullets (USA/Iran), Directed by Faranak Sahafian
Student Documentary Short
Winner: You Can’t See It from Here (USA/Colombia), Directed by Enrique Pedráza-Botero
Special Mention: Dancing in Tomorrowland (USA), Directed by Jakob Roston
Special Jury Awards
Vimeo Staff Pick Award
Winner received a $5,000 cash prize provided by Vimeo.
Winner: You Know You Wanna Stay (USA), Directed by Alex Heller
Best International Short
Each winner received a $500 cash prize.
Winners: Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), Directed by Marnie Blok and Kuchar (The Itch) (India), Directed by Vaidaangi Sharma
Special Mention: Goodbye Sun (France), Directed by Hakim Atoui
Best U.S. Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Szypliszki (USA), Directed by Jordan Axelrod
Special Mention: Ragamuffin (USA), Directed by Kaitlyn Mikayla
Best Comedy Short
Each winner received a $500 cash prize.
Winners: How Was Your Weekend (USA), Directed by Cam Banfield and Your Own Flavor (USA), Directed by Alisha Ketry
Special Mention: Blood Ties (France/Belgium), Directed by Hakim Atoui
Best LGBTQ+ Short
Each winner received a $500 cash prize.
Winners: Chico (France/Belgium), Directed by Théo Abadie and Hold Me Close (USA), Directed by Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver
Special Mention: It Will Always End In The End (Canada), Directed by Nancy Pettinicchio
Best Midnight Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Mango (United Kingdom/France), Directed by Joan Iyiola
Special Mention: Real (France), Directed by Rodrigue Hart
Local Jury Awards
Desert Views Local Jury Award
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Big Bass (USA), Directed by Drew Dickler
Special Mention: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton
Young Cineastes Award
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Énouement (USA), Directed by Angel Lu
Special Mention: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona Obertinca
Kids’ Choice Award
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland
Special Mention: Forevergreen (USA), directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears
Audience Awards
Best Animated Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Wednesdays with Gramps (USA), directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland
Best Documentary Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: The Devil Is Busy (USA), Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton
Best Live-Action Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Beatrix Is Invisible (USA), directed by Alex Farias
Best Student Short
Winner received a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Dandelion (USA), Directed by Fiona Obertinca