2025 Palm springs international shortfest The winners of this year’s festival have been revealed. The five Academy Awards were presented during the award of $ 30,000, including the qualifying awards and cash prizes, during the award brunch. The winning films were selected from 311 total submissions.
The award categories include the best animated short, best documentary short, best live-action short 15 minutes, Best Live-Action Short 15 minutes and less. 2025 Palm Springs International Shortfest took place on 24-30 June 2025.
See the complete list of winners below.
Festival Award Best
“Retirement Plan,, Directed by John Kelly
Best animated short
Directed by “Baddo” (Sweden), Amanda Agard and Alexander Toma
Best documentary short
“Peace Ride Shotgun” (USA), directed by Charles Franc
Best live-action in 15 minutes
“Susana” (Mexico/USA), directed by Amandin Thomas and Gerrardo Coilyo Escalent
Best live-action short 15 minutes and less
“Medusa” (USA), directed by Sara Mayoh
Best Student Animated Short
“Dragfox” (United Kingdom), directed by Lisa Oat
Best Student International Short
“Kura Sana” (Spain), directed by Lucia Ji Romero
Best Student US Short
“Nervous Energy” (USA), directed by Evlu
“breast milk” (USA/Nigeria), directed by Effinva Erinz
Best Student Documentary Short
“You can’t see it from here” (USA/Colombia), directed by Enrique Pedrza-Botero
Vimeo Staff Pick Award
“You know that you want to be” (USA), directed by Alex Heller
Best International Short
“Beyond Silence” (Netherlands), directed by Marni Bloc
“Kucher” (The Itch) (India), directed by Vaidangi Sharma
Best US Short
“Sizypliszki” (USA), directed by Jordan Axleod
“Ragampfin” (USA), directed by Krititalin Mikayla
Best comedy short
“How was your weekend” (USA) directed by Came Banfield
“Your own taste” (USA), directed by Alisha Katrie
Best lgbtq+ small
“Chico” (France/Belgium), directed by Theo Abdi
“Hold Me Close” (USA), directed by Aurora Brachman and Latte Semans-Wever,
Best midnight short
“Mango” (United Kingdom/France), directed by Zone Eiola
Desert Views Local Jury Award
“Big Bass” (USA), directed by Drew Dicler
Young Cinests Award
“Énoument” (USA), directed by Angel Lu
Kids Choice Award
“With Gramps on Wednesday” (USA), directed by Chris Copland and Justin Copland
