What to know for the 2024 Palm Springs International ShortFest: Poster design, pass info

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·3 min read

With the Palm Springs International Film Festival in the rearview, it's almost time for short filmmakers to descend into the valley for the 30th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest.

To kick start festivities, the festival unveiled the poster for the 2024 short film festival, taking place June 18 through 24. Collaborating once again with renowned American artist and Palm Springs resident Shag, this year's design celebrates the ShortFest’s 30th anniversary and the beauty of the Coachella Valley.

What inspired this year's festival poster?

Shag, whose real name is Josh Agle, is known for his retro-style artwork that depicts illustrated lavish and humorous scenes in mid-century modern environments. His artwork can be found at the Shag Store, located at 745 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

This year's poster features a starlet, wearing a yellow and white dress and white brimmed sun hat, ready for her closeup. In the foreground, a monitor displays the woman's pose, in which her back and side profile are turned toward the camera as she is sitting on the ground, holding herself up by one arm and holding a drink in the other. Film lights are set above her in the background, and she's surrounded by palm trees and mountains.

Discussing the poster’s influence, Shag said in a statement: "Inspired by our city and setting of Palm Springs, I wanted to express both the emotion of living in southern California, as well as the perspective of location shootstaking place across the Coachella Valley."

As a limited-edition collectible, the 2024 poster will be available on the festival website, the Shag Store and Destination PSP. During the June festival, the poster will also be available in-person at the Destination PSP pop-up store in the Regal Palm Springs lobby.

The official poster for the 30th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest.
The official poster for the 30th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest.

"It is a joy to have Shag's singular, fun style capturing and creating the expression of this year's 30th-annual Palm Springs International ShortFest," Lili Rodriguez, artistic director of the Palm Springs International Film Society, said in a statement. "Engaging with visual ideas of perspective, a sense of summer in the Coachella Valley, as well as the lively atmosphere of ShortFest, we're thrilled to once again partner with him!"

When and where is the festival?

The 30th annual ShortFest will take place June 18 through 24 at the Regal Palm Springs movie theater, located at 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The festival has typically been held at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in recent years, but no details for the venue change were provided.

Short films are curated into approximately 90-minute programs based on themes and topics, such as coming-of-age, LGBTQ, romance, comedy and more.

The 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest kicks off on opening night at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
The 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest kicks off on opening night at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

In addition to screenings, the ShortFest Forum will occur with classes and panels featuring industry representatives, filmmakers and additional guests.

The ShortFest Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on June 23. The Best of the Fest shorts will screen on the final day, June 24, as well as virtually from July 10 through 14.

How can I get passes?

ShortFest passes for the 2024 event are currently available at www.psfilmfest.org/shortfest-2024

Passes range from $75 for at-home viewings to a $500 patron pass, which provides preferred reserved seating for all ShortFest screenings, including opening and closing nights.

Palm Springs International Film Festival and Film Awards Chairman Nachhattar Chandi, center, attends the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest opening night with his daughter Angelie Chandi, left, and wife Susana Chandi at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Palm Springs International Film Festival and Film Awards Chairman Nachhattar Chandi, center, attends the 29th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest opening night with his daughter Angelie Chandi, left, and wife Susana Chandi at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

Closer to the festival start date, tickets for individual film programs will be on sale for $15 for general admission and $12 for Palm Springs International Film Society members. Tickets for the opening night screening and reception are $70, while the closing night screening and reception costs $60. Screening-only tickets for both events cost $15.

The official ShortFest programming lineup will be announced on June 3, followed by the Forum and Jury schedule on June 6.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Poster unveiled for 30th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest