ShortFest 2023: Desert Sun reporters share their favorite films from the festival
Another iteration of the Palm Springs International ShortFest has come and gone, and short film aficionados got a chance to see everything from comedies to thrillers to straight up headscratchers on the big screen.
A total of 299 short films from all over the world were screened at this year's festival. Moviegoers flocked to the Palm Springs Cultural Center to enjoy various programs during the weeklong event, showing everyone that they were ready to laugh, cry and gasp with others.
While the official ShortFest award winners were announced Sunday, with Liam LoPinto's short film "The Old Young Crow" winning the Best of the Festival Award, Desert Sun reporters Ema Sasic and Shad Powers also want to highlight some of their favorites in a number of unique categories.
Most Timely Subject Matter Award
"Sunless" directed by Boris Vesselinov
People around the world have been tuning in and reading about the Titan submersible that disappeared on an expedition to explore the Titanic shipwreck. Last week, officials determined a "catastrophic implosion" killed the five people aboard after crews had been searching for the vessel for days. It's a tragedy that has made many wonder how those passengers must have felt, and director Boris Vesselinov somehow managed to explore a similar scenario in his short film "Sunless." Two explorers, on the brink of being the first two people to reach the ocean floor, begin to hear strange noises outside their submarine. One of them wants to keep going to the floor, while the other wants to go up. What should they do? The result is a high anxiety, claustrophobic nightmare that will make viewers gasp for air the deeper they sink into the ocean.
— Ema Sasic
Funniest Grannies Award
"Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó" ("Grandma & Grandma") directed by Sean Wang
I think I have a pretty funny grandmother, but Sean Wang's maternal and paternal grandmothers clearly take the cake. In this half documentary, half narrative film, his Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó show us their silly side by dancing like no one's watching, poking fun at each other and giving us hilarious one-liners that will make any theater audience crack up (I won't spoil them here though). He also gives us moments where the two women reflect on life, family and death, which will fill your heart up and give you hope about your own future. It's a moving snapshot of their lives, and we should be so thankful that Wang decided to share a little bit of his grandmothers with us.
— Ema Sasic
Best Last Meal Award
"Death and Ramen" directed by Tiger Ji
What would be the last thing you'd eat before coming face-to-face with the Grim Reaper? Timmy Lee (Bobby Lee) can tell you his answer without skipping a beat: kimchi ramen. After a mishap occurs, he has to spend a few hours with Death (Matt Jones), and he simply can't leave this world on an empty stomach. With his eyes set on his favorite meal, he explains to the dark-cloaked figure that kimchi ramen consists of garlic, chives, kimchi, kimchi stock, Korean chili powder and noodles, and it's topped off with green onions and a soft-boiled egg. It's got a bit of a kick to it, but that won't stop viewers from drooling. Even just thinking about it right now is making my stomach rumble!
— Ema Sasic
Worst First Time Award
"Prom Car '91" directed by Brian Otting
It's the classic prom night story. Teenage lovebirds Don and Carrie are planning to get frisky for the first time in the back of dad's minivan, and then just as it's about to happen ... they witness a murder and then have the murderers steal the minivan and take off not knowing they are in the back. We've all been there. Lucky for Don and Carrie they've bonded over watching Kung Fu movies, because that may very well come in handy. This film is a classic riotous, murderous romp as Otting and his talented cast get the most out of the cute script. It wasn't surprising to hear Otting say in the Q&A afterward that it was a bit of an homage to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" as engaging lead actress McKenna Marmolejo (cool name) breaks the fourth wall frequently as the absurdness unfolds around her.
— Shad Powers
Death and Taxidermy Award
"La Pursé" directed by Gabriel Nobrega and Lucas Rene
This stop-motion animated gem from Brazil accomplished everything I love in a short film in nine minutes. I laughed, I said "awwww" at a love story, I shrieked at a jump scare and I had a smile on my face during the closing credits. An 80-year-old man, who is a not-altogether-talented taxidermist, is in love with his neighbor. She won't give him the time of day, even when he stops by to offer her his latest C-minus stuffed dead animal as a gift. Her skin and bones cat isn't her biggest fan either, as she always forgets to feed him. Anyway, lots of stuff happens, the titular "purse" comes into play and by the end of the movie, our two star-crossed lovers may just end up together. Great stuff all around and a creative animation style to boot.
— Shad Powers
Dance, Dance Revelation Award
"Mysore Magic" directed by Abijeet Achar and "Yokelan, 66" directed by Tang Yi
I saw two different movies in the "Meeting People is Easy"-themed block that both centered around dancing, and I loved them both. Sweet little revelations. "Mysore Magic" is the true story of the director's parents, who met at a disco dance competition in 1982. It had heart, comedy and some groovy moves straight out of "Saturday Night Fever." Meanwhile, "Yokelan, 66" was lovable mostly because of the lead actress, Yoelan Yee. She plays a 66-year-old widow determined to find love again, and after a series of epic first-date fails, she decides to try a dance class. It's charming, heartwarming and teaches a pretty good life lesson in the end.
— Shad Powers
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs ShortFest: Desert Sun reporters share their favorite films
