The Palm Springs International Film Society announced today that the annual Palm Springs International ShortFest, one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, will return with in-person screenings June 21-27. For this year’s edition veteran programmer Sudeep Sharma will act as interim 2022 ShortFest Director, with the planned maternity leave of PSIFF Artistic Director Lili Rodriguez.
Since 2014 Sharma has served as director of programming for the Palm Springs International ShortFest. He has concurrently been a programmer for the Sundance Film Festival focusing on documentary feature films as well as many other festivals including LA Film Festival, Tribeca, AFI Fest, Aspen ShortsFest, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and Indian Kaleidoscope Film Festival, previously working as director of public programming for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Sharma has taught film and TV history, industry and criticism courses at universities throughout Southern California.
Kicking off on Tuesday, June 21, ShortFest will screen a full slate of films sat the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The ShortFest Forum will also be held in its traditional live format with classes and panels featuring industry representatives, filmmakers, and additional guests. Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on Sunday, June 26. Best of the Fest shorts will screen on the final day, Monday, June 27.
More information on 2022 ShortFest programming and its schedule will be announced soon. ShortFest passes will go on sale May 2, 2022. For additional information, visit www.psfilmfest.org