'International ShortFest' Kicks Off Tonight In Palm Springs: Tickets Still Available!

PALM SPRINGS, CA – The 23rd annual Palm Springs International ShortFest, which will screen more than 300 films from five dozen countries, begins this evening with an opening night ceremony and party.

The festival, which will continue until June 26 at Camelot Theatres, will feature 46 world premieres, 12 international premieres, 42 North American premieres and 16 U.S. premieres. The films will showcase a host of prominent actors, including Ian McKellen, Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Sam Rockwell, Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Asner, Matthew Modine and Robin Wright.

More than $115,000 in prizes, including $20,000 in cash awards, will be given out across 21 categories, according to ShortFest organizers.

In addition to screenings, the festival will feature a dozen forums and roundtable discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals, focused on emerging trends within the film world.

Additional events include the two-day Virtual Reality Lounge, which is free to the public Thursday and Friday at Riviera Palm Springs; Sunday's filmmaker brunch featuring Modine and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert; and an array of themed parties for film fans.

Opening night at Camelot Theatres will include eight short films, and an after-party at Lulu California Bistro. Opening night tickets are available online or at the Camelot Theatre Box Office starting at $60, and provide entry to both the ceremony and party.

Those looking for a preview of what the festival has to offer can view five films online, each of which are eligible for the ShortFest Online Film Festival Award, with the winner to be announced at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony.

The full festival lineup is available at www.psfilmfest.org .

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Van Halen Tribute Concert
• Beaumont Veteran's Expo Job Fair
• The Friends of the Murrieta Library Overstock Sidewalk Book Sale at the Corner Bookstore
• DoubleTree Palm Springs invites you to create art and memories at our Paint + Wine event on June 24th

--City News Service/Morguefile image