From June 16-22, a number of the official selection films will be available to screen for free online.
The Palm Springs International ShortFest has selected 332 short films including eight Arab shorts for its 2020 virtual event set to run June from 16 to 22.
Each film will be eligible for jury award consideration. The selections were made from more than 6,000 submissions, organisers said.
The Arab shorts which have been selected include Arabian Alien by Meshal Al Jaser, Stallions of Palestine by Elise Coker, Give up the Ghost by Zain Duraie, Henet Ward by Morad Mostafa, The Present by Farah Nabulsi, Ome by Wassim Geagea, So What if the Goats Die by Sofia Alaoui and Soukoon by Farah Shaer.
The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films held annually in Palm Springs, California, is one of the largest film festivals for short films in the United States.
This year’s categories, which will have their own group of jury members, include Oscar Qualifying Awards, Student Short Awards and Special Jury Awards. Juried award winners will be announced June 21 from the official selection presenting them with awards and cash prizes worth $25,000 including five Academy Award qualifying nods.
ShortFest filmmakers will have priority access to the ShortFest Forum. Four of the panels will be available for the general public, with pre-registration required starting June 13.
Commenting on the film festival, ShortFest Directors of Programming Linton Melita and Sudeep Sharma, said: “We are thrilled to be able to mount ShortFest virtually during these challenging times. Although it is a shame we cannot welcome audiences in person later this month, it is no small consolation to have the privilege to share the work of these incredible filmmakers in what we feel might be the best lineup the festival has ever had.”
